Minister for Agriculture Anton Refalo, together with Minister for Economy Silvio Schembri, officially inaugurated Malta’s first community Food Coop on Tuesday, a government statement said.
Also present for the opening were CEO of the Malta Food Agency Brian Vella and CEO of Koperattivi Malta Daniel Schembri.
The statement said that this historic event marks an important moment not only for the local community but for the entire country, as it ushers in an economic model built on cooperation, sustainability, and solidarity.
“The Food Coop is the realisation of a dream that became reality thanks to the vision and work of many individuals who believed in the power of cooperation. The project is not just a place to buy daily groceries, it symbolises a shift in how society views consumption, local produce, and environmental well-being,” the statement said.
In this shop, one can find a wide range of locally made products from across the Maltese Islands, from fruit and vegetables to dairy, meat, and more.
All products are of high quality, carefully selected to support Maltese farmers, herders, producers, and small enterprises, it said.
The project also focuses on strengthening the local economy by shortening the supply chain and ensuring that every investment made in this space continues to support families, producers, and the environment.
The statement said that the project also contributes to reducing emissions and building a more sustainable and fair economy.
“What makes the Food Coop truly unique is that it belongs to everyone, as it is owned by its members, meaning that anyone living in Malta or Gozo can become a member, take part in its management, and have a say in its direction. Through internal democratic processes, each member can contribute during general meetings and in the administration of the shop,” the statement said.
It said that the main goal of the project is not profit, but to provide access to good, local, and fairly priced food for everyone, while strengthening the sense of community and respect for those whose work produces the food.
Minister Refalo said that this project reflects government’s vision of bringing consumers closer to the food chain while embracing the principles of the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy.
“The Food Coop is a concrete example of how we can build a more sustainable food system that gives due value to local producers. This project directly impacts farmers, herders, producers, and consumers by creating a direct link between them, and shows what can be achieved when the community works together for a common goal,” Refalo said.
Minister Schembri said that cooperatives are an economic model that has been in Malta for many years, and one of the most resilient.
“With this shop, we are seeing a model of a fair economy, where every euro spent goes back to those who provided the product. I hope this first shop will be the first of many,” Schembri said.
Malta Food Agency CEO Brian Vella described this as another step that will open up more opportunities for Maltese and Gozitan farmers, herders, and producers to reach consumers directly.
Koperattivi Malta CEO Daniel Schembri said this was a historic moment for the local community, which will benefit from access to Maltese food at advantageous prices.
He added that this could become one of the largest cooperatives in Malta, as every adult can become a member and beneficiary.
The organisers thanked the founding members, Koperattivi Malta, local producers, volunteers, and all those who believed in the project and contributed to making this dream a reality.
The community Food Coop is expected to become a model for how Maltese society can embrace a fairer, more sustainable economy built on cooperation among people.