Bonn/Alfter, Germany. The “Broterei” in Bonn is the bakery equivalent of Community-Supported Agriculture. Felix, Lia, Sarah, and Marvin—a group of young adults in the Bonn/Alfter area—bake and distribute fresh bread alongside their jobs or studies at Alanus University. An interview.
How does a solidarity-based bakery work?
The basic principle of our solidarity-based bakery follows the structure of community-supported economics. Producers, bakers, and consumers form a community. The people who receive the bread finance the ongoing costs of the bakery with a monthly contribution, which is scaled in solidarity according to income. This provides financial security for the producers and ensures access to food regardless of income. The breads can be picked up weekly at the nearest depot. Participation in the production process and relationships with the bakers are at the forefront—in contrast to individualized consumption.
What are the benefits of membership?
At the Broterei, we work without industrial additives such as technical enzymes. We value fresh, traditionally handcrafted bread made from regional, organic ingredients, with long dough fermentation and sourdough. The solidarity-based bakery connects people and works against isolated, individualistic behavior. Within the Broterei, it is important to us to maintain open information structures, to reflect on and unlearn hierarchies. It is meant to be a platform for exchange and co-creation for everyone.
In what ways do solidarity-based economic models contribute to sustainable, future-oriented consumption?
The principle of community-supported economics strengthens independence from market fluctuations. Responsibility for basic provisioning is organized at the local level, creating more resilient structures and greater food security. It enables the production of high-quality foods because costs are reliably covered, and it prevents overproduction because there is a clearly defined number of recipients. The close network between producers and members fosters a community that is more sustainable and better equipped for the future.
More Broterei
Contact broterei@riseup.net
Translation Charles Cross
Image Felix, Lia, Sarah, and Marvin from the Broterei; Courtesy photo
