Characterization

The terrain and the climate, and in connection with the geodiversity of this region is marked mainly by shales, and are used, among other things, gave rise to the farmland to work with flexibility and know-how, there is a milenios. The tradition is combined with the knowledge and innovation, allowing for the development of new products that are associated with the production of organic and sustainable


This resulted in the project’s Upstairs Farm, with a total of 70 associate producers, who sell their products through this one. The real guardians of the crops and traditional in the Arouca Geopark, a UNESCO World heritage site, with over 200 species are listed in vegetables, fruits, and grains. With a heritage of food is associated with the fertile soil and agriculture of subsistence, which is distributed along the valleys of the rivers Arda and do not miss one and it is protected by the mountain ranges of the area.

    Follow-up
    to the production of

    We help and support our farmers in the field, and through its capacity building, in order to invest in technical assistance to agricultural practices are responsible. In the past few years, we have been focusing more and more on the transition to sustainable modes of production, by means of training and raising the awareness of our farmers for organic farming, minimizing, and eliminating the use of chemical synthesis.


    It followed a strategy of preservation of the natural heritage and the genetic part of the municipality, through the preservation of the variety of regional fruit and vegetables. In this way, the project has been to fight against the abandonment of land, in keeping with the natural landscape, to encourage new producers, as well as to enhance territorial cohesion as well as to encourage the local production and consumption, reducing the environmental impact of the supply chain.

    Marketing
    and distribution

    The marketing of the project, Upstairs Farm, it is a short-chain agri-food products, which allows us to reduce the impacts of the transportation of the products, and establish a closer link between the producer and the consumer. For the direct sale of products, we also have a store in the Market Place – where you will find all of our products are local, fresh seasonal produce, and manufactures, caraterizadores in this area, which are distinguished for their contribution to the environmental, social, cultural, and education sectors. This approach allows for providing a space for the meeting with the producers and their products, and enhancing the access of consumers to the reality of farming in the area. In addition to this, our team takes on the logistics of picking up the product in the field, and with the guarantee of their delivery via the delivery service of your orders, the units of the restoration, education and/or the other users.

        Awareness-raising
        and communication

        The strategy of disposing of the product, enhance the choices to be more aware and responsible with regard to power consumption. This awareness is developed through the development and promotion of awareness-raising activities, food, the environment, and close proximity to the reality of farming, and in particular for education, food, workshops, thematic, seasonal, and tour programs, such as the routes are Upstairs in Agriculture.


        Through this approach, we aim to educate the community members on sustainability and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.