Located in Trancoso, Mercearia do Fradinho is one of Rewilding Portugal’s strategic partners and a member of the Wild Côa Network. It has already provided catering services for several of the organisation’s events and is a supplier of extremely high-quality local products that circulate throughout the territory, which are also the ones guiding principles in our work.
Introduce us to your project, as well as the various products you currently have available for sale to the public.
Mercearia do Fradinho is more than just a shop; it is a project dedicated to offering quality products rooted in the local community. We work hard to provide a unique experience, highlighting the richness and diversity of local products. We currently offer a variety of products including fresh produce, local crafts and seasonal options that reflect our commitment to circularity and sustainability. In addition, we offer a range of experiences to those who visit us, from gastronomic tastings, services for private events, off-road vehicle tours of the Greater Côa Valley area that can also be complemented with picnics and photo shoots, so that visitors take away good, strong memories of our region.
You have carried out numerous services and collaborations with Rewilding Portugal, including major events. How do you view this growing collaboration?
Our collaboration with Rewilding Portugal has been enriching. Participating in events and providing catering services for the organisation has allowed us to share our passion for the authenticity of local flavours. We see this growing collaboration as an opportunity to strengthen ties with the community and contribute to the promotion of rewilding principles in the region.
Looking at the Wild Côa Network project, which has been solidifying over time, how do you see the added value that this network can bring to your business and to the region?
The Wild Côa Network is a project that we believe is crucial for the sustainable development of the region. By joining this network, we see opportunities to strengthen our offer of local products, creating synergies that benefit both our business and the community. We believe that the valorisation of natural and cultural resources through this network will contribute to the authenticity and attractiveness of the region.
Is nature-based tourism the future of tourism and the attractiveness of the Greater Côa Valley?
Yes, we believe that nature-based tourism is the future of the sector in the Greater Côa Valley region. The unique natural beauty and diversity of the area’s fauna and flora, combined with Rewilding Portugal’s initiatives, offers an authentic, sustainable and above all distinctive experience. We believe that by aligning our services with this trend, we can not only attract nature-conscious tourists who can contribute to sustainable growth by preserving nature, but above all interact with and raise awareness among the local people who live in the Greater Côa Valley of the importance of nature and the care we should take of it. We can say without any doubt that in a few years’ time nature tourism will be our region’s ex-libris.
You have developed many of your services using the facilities at the Rewilding Centre. Do you consider this space to be an asset for the region? Why?
The facilities at the Rewilding Centre have been essential to the development of our services. As well as providing a welcoming environment with all the necessary facilities for events and catering, we consider this space to be an asset for the region. Its central and strategic location, close to the various rewilding areas, and commitment to environmental conservation align perfectly with our values, reinforcing our mission to promote quality of life in the region through our products and services. We are excited about the future of this collaboration and are committed to continuing to contribute to the sustainable development of the region and to promoting Rewilding Portugal’s work in Portugal and more specifically in the Côa Valley.