The Canary Government and the Vega de San Mateo City Council present a campaign to promote the consumption of local products from August 3 to 9, and visit the construction of the new market, with 1.5 million from PDR funds.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty of the Canary Government, Narvay Quintero, and the Mayor of Vega de San Mateo, Davinia Falcón, presented a promotional action on Friday to boost the Agricultural and Craft Market of the municipality. The campaign will take place from August 3 to 9 and aims to attract visitors from both Gran Canaria and outside the island, with a message that positions local products as "the origin of good taste."
The initiative, framed within the Rural Dynamisation programme of the regional government, includes the design of a graphic image, a spot, and other audiovisual pieces that will be disseminated in media and digital platforms. The goal, as explained by the officials, is not only to increase public attendance but also to highlight the offerings of the primary sector, craftsmanship, and the identity of the territory.
During the presentation, which also included the CEO of Rural Management of the Canary Islands (GMR Canarias), Juan Antonio Alonso, and the councillor for the Primary Sector and Market, Juan Báez, the social and cultural role of the market was emphasised. Narvay Quintero stressed that these spaces are "meeting points between producers and consumers" and a showcase for zero-kilometre, seasonal, and high-quality products.
The mayor, Davinia Falcón, recalled that the market is "a symbol of our history and tradition" and that the campaign aims to establish it as one of the main attractions of the municipality during weekends. "We want to invite citizens and those visiting Gran Canaria to discover a place where they can also enjoy an experience linked to our gastronomy and craftsmanship," she added.
For his part, Juan Antonio Alonso defended that agricultural and craft markets are "pillars that reinforce short marketing channels" and contribute to keeping economic activity alive in municipalities with smaller populations. The Rural Dynamisation programme, executed by GMR Canarias, is aimed at the 46 municipalities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants in the Islands, with actions that promote sustainable development and combat depopulation.
Construction of the New Municipal Market
The delegation took the opportunity to visit the construction site of the new municipal market, which is being built with a total budget of over 8,000,000 euros. Of that amount, 1,545,000 euros come from a grant from the Rural Development Programme (PDR), managed by the Canary Government, under sub-measure 19.2.
The mayor explained that the new building is designed to provide producers with a more modern infrastructure adapted to current needs. However, she acknowledged that the work has faced delays due to issues with the awarded company, which forced the project to be redone and put out to tender again.
The new market will replace the current facilities, which every Sunday host dozens of farmers and artisans from the commission. The expectation is that, once completed, the space will offer better conditions for direct sales and for holding complementary activities.
In the meantime, the promotional campaign starting in August aims to maintain the market's appeal during the summer. The actions will include presence on television, digital press, and social media, with the slogan "the origin of good taste."
For the residents of Vega de San Mateo and the island, the market is a weekly event that goes beyond shopping: it is a meeting point with rural tradition. The campaign seeks to encourage both residents and tourists to include it in their weekend plans.
Minister Narvay Quintero insisted that these spaces serve a fundamental social and cultural function, and that their promotion helps keep rural areas alive. "It is a resource that helps sustain traditional productive activities," he noted.
The initiative adds to other actions from the Rural Dynamisation programme, which has already promoted similar events in other municipalities of the Islands. With this action, the Canary Executive and the City Council hope to strengthen local consumption and raise awareness of the work of small producers.
San Mateo market opens its doors every Sunday morning, and during the campaign, activities will be intensified to attract a wider audience. Interested parties can follow updates through the official channels of the City Council.
