Artisanal Cheese Fair in Bogotá Promotes Direct Sales

In Bogotá, a new event titled the 'Gran Quesatón' has been organized to allow cheese producers to sell their artisanal products directly to consumers. This initiative is designed to bypass traditional intermediaries, providing producers with better financial returns and consumers with access to fresh, locally-made cheese.

Among the products available are fresh cheeses, curds, traditional amasijos, and other dairy derivatives. In addition to sales, producers are engaging with the public to share insights about production processes and the management of their establishments. This interaction aims to bridge the gap between rural producers and urban consumers.

The participating producers have expressed concerns about the low remuneration they receive for milk, which has driven them to seek alternative sales channels. Direct sales are seen as a way to reclaim some of the added value of their products while reducing their reliance on traditional buyers.

The 'Gran Quesatón' is also part of a broader effort to increase recognition of rural families' work and promote the consumption of locally produced goods. It is aligned with other similar Colombian initiatives such as 'Papatón' and 'Mangotón', which encourage direct commercial interactions between producers and consumers, aiming for a more equitable distribution of income within the agri-food chain.

These events highlight the ongoing challenges faced by rural producers in securing fair compensation for their goods and underline the importance of innovative approaches to traditional market structures.