To bring the agrofood production sectors, Barcelona’s Municipal Markets and Mercabarna to the citizens and to promote healthy eating habits: this is the dual aim of La salut al cistell (Health in the Shopping Basket), a new programme that will make its debut on the Catalan channel TV3 on 3 May.

Twenty years ago, the Central Fruit and Vegetable Market changed its schedule from night-time to daytime. In commemoration of this anniversary, Mercabarna and the Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Dealers Association (AGEM) organised a technical conference on 3 March, in which different agents from the horticultural distribution chain took part.

Jesús Láez, manager of the Mercabarna-flor Wholesale Business Owners Association (AEM), left his position last February, after having been involved with the Association since the beginning of 2000.

From 20 to 22 June, an advanced course on the handling and application of plant protection products will be given at Mercabarna-flor, organised jointly by the Catalan Gardening Association, the Catalan government’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Action and the Mercabarna Training Area.

Some 250 florists attended the second thematic floral demonstration held at Mercabarna-flor last 9 March.

The Training Area wishes to foster the entrepreneurial spirit of the students who take occupational training courses to learn trades such as fishmongery, butchery, floristry, etc.

This coming 2 April at 1 P.M., the Mercabarna Training Department will offer a presentation to inform businesses about the discounts available during 2009 for employee training, as well as the latest news on training subsidies.

On 2 March, Mercabarna and Fedelatina – an organisation that includes 85 Latin American associations in Catalonia – signed a collaborative agreement fostering the labour and social integration of the Latin American community through agrifood professions.

During the month of March, two Mercabarna companies were the first to sign new contracts renewing their concessions.

The telephone company Orange will be the new mobile phone carrier for the closed group of Mercabarna users that includes market companies and buyers. Until now, this service had been provided by the Vodafone company.