Abstract
Research report written in the context of the Interreg Alpine Space European Project 'AlpFoodway' Coop is one of Switzerland’s largest retail and wholesale company, structured in the form of a cooperative society, with approximately 2,476 points of sale, and CHF 28.3 billion of revenues in 2016. Coop’s business principles stress giving preference to environment-friendly and socially responsible products, supporting Swiss agriculture, and favouring products made in Switzerland. Slow Food (SF) has been active in Switzerland since 1993. After a few episodic interactions, at the end of 2016 the two organisations established a long-term agreement to promote Swiss food culture and sustainable consumption. Through its Sustainability Fund, Coop financially supports SF and the establishment of SF presidia (21 of the 22 Swiss Presidia were established thanks to Coop’s financial and marketing support). In addition, Coop includes in its assortment a selection of 50 SF Presidia products (15 from Switzerland, the rest from other countries), including Traditional Valais rye bread, Farina Bona, raw milk Vacherin cheese, Chur salami, and mountain pasture Sbrinz. Given the limited quantities, seasonal unavailability, and lower profit margins of these products, Coop had to adapt its procurement procedures, and according to the retailer little or no returns are made from the sales of Presidia products. The cooperation has not only benefitted Presidia producers, but also boosted the visibility of SF in Switzerland.