The cooperative, which now structures the social economy work developed for several generations at Herdade do Freixo do Meio, aims essentially to integrate and regulate the different uses of this Common Good. The main goal is to collectively manage the Montado do Freixo do Meio, in a way that permanently improves our relation with the available resources and the obtaining of an abundance of goods and services.
For this purpose, the Cooperativa de Usuários do Freixo do Meio, CRL adopted an integrated approach, although with an initial focus on food production. We believe the horizontal structure of classic coops inhibits a true interiorization of the Common Goods. Therefore, we integrate vertically the different sectors involved in food production and other common areas we work on, such as training and agroecological visiting. The Cooperativa de Usuários do Freixo do Meio, CRL is a multisector cooperative, with a main sector devoted to consumption, and secondary sectors that include collaborators and other stakeholders like landowners, farmers, neighbours, etc.
Our institution is recognized by the Portuguese Law For Social Economy, following the principles and practices of Solidary Economy, meaning the results obtained are destined to one of three ends: sharing among coop members, investment in the coop or donations for non-profit organizations.
The Cooperativa de Usuários do Freixo do Meio, CRL, started its activity on the 1st of January 2018 with a Social Capital of 5000€ (five thousand euros). On the first year after admission, every member subscribes a minimum of 4 titles (25€ each) for any section he enrolls in, making an aggregate amount of 100 (one hundred) euros.
In spite of all difficulties, in spite of all obstacles that an economic system, which anyway could not have been another, raised, men always showed their desire for cooperation, the joy of a life together where we can help each other, always had as an ideal a state of society, an organization, where they wouldn’t have to separate their individual interest from the interest of the community, in which the two aspects of their life formed a whole that gave them the harmony, the peace, the inner tranquility men seek above all else.
«As Cooperativas, Iniciação», 1942
Management of the relation of the community with the ecosystem through food sharing.
Crop Sharing CSA Program, Freixo Shop, Cabana dos Bois Canteen, Lisbon Shop, Online Shop. Partnership program.
Management of the relation of the community with the ecosystem through landscape sharing. Visits to the Montado do Freixo do Meio Protected Area and Interpretation Centre.
Management of the relation of the community with the ecosystem through knowledge sharing. Agroecological Training, School of Crafts, Work and Volunteering internships.
OUR MISSION
Inspired by the nature of the Montado, the Cooperativa de Usuários do Freixo do Meio is a place of cooperation, inclusion, personal development, work, and community building. Our aim is to give form to a community that harmoniously integrates the ecosystem it belongs to and that is autonomous, resilient, peaceful, and ecumenical, in a proud alignment with the vision of the «Fifth Empire» as referred by Agostinho da Silva.
Our mission is based on demanding standards, transparency, social participation, knowledge, and innovation, made richer by the science, agroecology, permaculture, and food sovereignty.
A community that harmoniously integrates the ecosystem it belongs to.
A community open to the word, devoted to serve and cooperate, and hopeful of a better future.
Alfredo Cunhal Sendim
Farmer, Owner and Chairman of the Board
Joaquim Caixeiro
Meat and Sausage Coordinator, Director
Susana Teles
Coordinator of Food Sharing, Accounting and Administration, Fiscal Council
Bernardo Sá Nogueira
Agroforestry Coordinator, Knowledge Sharing, Director
Ricardo Silva
Biologist, Protected Area Coordinator of the Freixo do Meio Montado
Maria Abel
Freixo do Meio store coordinator
João Semedo
Food Distribution Coordinator
Helena Ferrão
Food Quality Management, Accounting
Isabel Oliveira
Lisbon Store Coordinator
Jorge Pax
Communication, events, technical maintenance
Fátima Cruz
Kitchen
Edite Ferreira
Vegetable and Acorn Area Coordinator
Manuela Silva
Vegetable and Acorn Transformation
Ofélia Neto
Vegetable and Acorn Transformation
Ana Carriço
Vegetable and Acorn Transformation
Paula Moreira
Meat and Sausage Processing
Luísa Sardinha
Meat and Sausage Processing
Alexandra Santos
Meat and Sausage Processing
Alexandre Balancho
Animals
Afonso Cunha
Garden Coordinator
Maria Júlia Balancho
Garden
Manuel Samarrinha
Mechanical maintenance
Ana Vasconcelos
Protected Area of the Montado do Freixo do Meio
Margarida Abreu
Landscape sharing
Paulo Magalhães
President of the General Assembly
Laurinda Bengalinha
Bakery and Laundry
Grace Bineh
Bakery and Laundry
Joaquim Balancho
Tractors
The fundamentals we aim to fulfil every day at the Herdade do Freixo do Meio.
Our mission is to build a community around Herdade Freixo do Meio that is democratic, inclusive, transparent, autonomous, and resilient, that achieves a constantly improving relationship with natural resources, and that encourages personal development.
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contacts
Herdade do Freixo do Meio
7050-705 Foros de Vale Figueira,
Portugal
(+351) 266 877 136
