Objective:

To study the community dimension and the formation of group identities from sustainable food initiatives (agro ecological consumption groups, producer / consumer cooperatives); as well as reflect on their capacity to transform the social environment.

Methodology:

Fieldwork was carried out with twenty-one groups, networks and associations located in five Spanish cities, following a multi-technical qualitative approach.

Results:

From the discursive analysis of the participants, it was possible to know the main elements that act in the conformation of these groups; and the components of social order that agglutinate or divide the existing social networks.

Limitations:

The study is limited to those individuals who play active roles in the associations (founding partners, members of the general organization), due to their greater interest in participating and making their actions known.

Conclusions:

Apart from the health benefits derived from agro ecological food consumption, these groups promote the consolidation of an explicit collective identity, around alternative socio-cultural and political values. This new community structuring is linked to the expression of a life philosophy different from the current capitalist logic, orienting itself towards the common good, transforming action and responsible consumption.

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