The Lleida City Council has launched a new initiative at the Pardinyes municipal pavilion to promote healthier eating and more responsible consumption. This pilot project involves the installation of vending machines offering fair trade products, with potential expansion to other municipal spaces if results are positive.
The project, a collaboration between the Departments of Cooperation, Sports, and Health, and the organizations Oxfam Intermón, Càritas Diocesana de Lleida, and Il·lusions, aims to encourage sustainable and healthy consumption habits, particularly among children, adolescents, and families who frequent the sports facility. The machines offer fair trade products, food items produced under ethical and sustainable criteria, and organic coffee.
The Councilor for Cooperation, Sports, and Health, Jackson Quiñónez, highlighted that the initiative seeks to "contribute to generating new consumption habits and raising citizen awareness about the impact of their daily decisions." He emphasized that sports facilities are "privileged spaces for promoting values linked to health, sustainability, and social justice, especially among new generations."
The Pardinyes pavilion was chosen for this pilot due to its high daily attendance, deeming it an "especially suitable space for promoting educational actions related to healthy eating and responsible consumption." In addition to providing quality food alternatives, the machines include informative material on the international principles of fair trade to foster a more conscious and committed citizenry.
The initiative also emphasizes the defense of human and labor rights, as fair trade products guarantee dignified conditions for producers and respect children's rights while combating labor exploitation. This action connects health promotion policies with the sustainability and international cooperation objectives pursued by the City Council.
The initiative is complemented by the exhibition "Jo Trio" by LaCoordi, which showcases a transformative economic model. Fair trade is defined as a commitment that ensures fair wages, gender equality in the workplace, the abolition of child labor, and active environmental protection.
This action is part of Lleida's commitment to fair trade. In November 2024, the City Council approved a motion to advance towards the city's recognition as a Fair Trade City, a distinction achieved in February 2026.
Il·lusions, a social and solidarity economy enterprise, manages the vending service, promoting organic and fair trade products and facilitating employment for individuals with functional diversity. Càritas Diocesana de Lleida and Oxfam Intermón de Lleida are leading organizations in promoting fair trade and responsible consumption in the city.
