A traveling market, known as 'La Despensa de Madrid' (Madrid's Pantry), will tour 19 municipalities of the Community of Madrid throughout 2024. The aim is to bring products cultivated, produced, or elaborated in the region closer to consumers. The route, which began in Daganzo de Arriba, will extend until October.
This weekend, the initiative will stop in two key locations. On Saturday, the market will be set up on Juan Carlos I avenue in Leganés, and on Sunday, it will move to the Plaza de Cervantes in Alcalá de Henares. In both places, the market will operate from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM, featuring 20 outdoor tents.
The gastronomic offering is extensive and varied, including olive oil, olives, smoked products, fresh meat, beer, chocolate, preserves, cured meats, pastries, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, liquors, honey, bread, baked goods, cheeses, vermouth, and wines. A total of 50 agri-food companies will participate in rotation each weekend.
The quality of the products is a fundamental pillar of the project. Of the 50 participating companies, 24 hold the M Producto Certificado (Certified M Product) certification, which has recognized the quality and traceability of Madrid products since 2014. Additionally, nine businesses market organic products endorsed by the Ecological Agriculture Committee of the Community of Madrid.
The market also highlights products protected by prestigious regional quality labels, such as the Protected Designation of Origin for Wines of Madrid and Oil of Madrid, the Protected Geographical Indication for Meat from the Sierra de Guadarrama, the PGI Anís de Chinchón, and the Quality Designation Aceitunas de Campo Real (Campo Real Olives).
From an institutional perspective, the regional government views this initiative as a vital tool to support local producers, generate employment, and strengthen rural economies. The regional government emphasizes that these markets promote local consumption and enhance the visibility of Madrid's agri-food sector.
The May calendar includes additional stops on the 30th in Sevilla la Nueva and on the 31st in Pozuelo de Alarcón. In June, 'La Despensa' will visit Majadahonda, El Escorial, Guadarrama, La Cabrera, and Arganda del Rey.
After a break in July and August, the market will resume its activity in September, with stops in Boadilla del Monte, Rivas Vaciamadrid, Collado Villalba, San Sebastián de los Reyes, Hoyo de Manzanares, Villanueva de la Cañada, and Morata de Tajuña.
The annual tour will conclude in October with the final dates in Algete and Colmenar Viejo, thus completing the planned itinerary across the 19 municipalities.
