Montevarchi Earth Market – Mercato Coperto

The city of Montevarchi originated in the 11th century as a "mercatale," or market area at the foot of the Colle dei Cappuccini castle, along the communication routes. A market that grew more and more, eventually transforming over time into a real village. In the 16th century, this walled village was an economic mainstay of Florence and an important center for the collection and distribution of food coming from Valdarno and Valdichiana.
It is in this context steeped in history that the first Slow Food Earth Market, the Mercatale, was born, located in Piazza Varchi in 2004 and moved to the building in Piazza dell’antica Gora in 2008, near a large parking lot.

Today the Mercatale has become a Covered Market: a place of daily sales that since 2016 is a business network composed of about 80 farms and artisans adhering to the principles of Slow Food coming from the upper Valdarno, Valdichiana, Val d’Orcia, Mugello and Casentino areas. The companies alternate during the year depending on the season and the presence of the product. This type of offer, combined with the numerous educational activities organized in the Mercatale, has served to raise awareness among the Market’s customers, who today buy based on availability, supporting the local production system. For sale you can find all kinds of references, from organic fruits and vegetables to meat, raw milk cheeses, legumes, flours, oil, eggs, honey, preserves.

The project was launched thanks to the support of the Tuscany Region and the collaboration between the Municipality of Montevarchi – leader of the municipalities of upper Valdarno – the Province of Arezzo, Slow Food Tuscany and Slow Food Colli Superiori del Valdarno, CIA and Coldiretti, with the aim of creating a place for the direct sale of local products and reviving the economy of small agricultural producers and artisans of the Valdarno area. Over time, the Mercatale has activated many collaborations with various entities and subjects, and the experience has become a true network project.

The Montevarchi Earth Market – Covered Market – supports Slow Food projects and in particular the Gigi Frassanito award.

More informations:
www.mercatoagricoltori.it/about-us