Collectif 5C

About Collectif 5C

Collectif 5C is a Belgian non-profit federation of citizen cooperatives working in short food supply chains. It brings together cooperatives and related actors in distribution, production, transformation, and local food support, with a focus on building a more responsible food system.

The collective positions itself as a network for cooperatives in circuit court that aims to connect producers and consumers more closely, support dignified incomes for producers, and improve access to healthy, sustainable food. Its work is rooted in the values of social economy, cooperation, transparency, and territorial solidarity.

Core Values

• Dignity for producers: The collective promotes fairer commercial conditions so producers can earn a dignified income and retain commercial autonomy.
• Accessibility for consumers: It seeks to make healthy, sustainable food accessible through low margins, proximity, and cooperative organization.
• Agroecology and sustainability: The vision emphasizes agroecological practices, bio products, seasonal food, reduced waste, and limited packaging.
• Cooperation and mutual support: Members are encouraged to work in network, share expertise, mutualize tools and services, and learn from one another.
• Transparency and social purpose: The collective asks members to document their practices and to allocate financial results to social aims.

Unique Aspects

• Large cooperative network: The collective’s member map highlights 38 citizen cooperatives, 400 short-chain distribution points, 1,350 producers and producers, and 12,000 cooperators and cooperators.
• Clear collective commitments: Members commit to targets of at least 50% short-chain sourcing and at least 50% certified organic products by value, alongside transparency and social-purpose allocation of results.
• Broad ecosystem role: Membership includes not only distribution cooperatives but also farm shops, producer and transformer cooperatives, fair-trade distributors, horeca actors, and support organizations linked to territorial food transition.
• Structured sector support: The collective works through dedicated staff roles and a service model that includes mutualization support for logistics, sales, administration, accounting, IT, and labor needs.
• Sector advocacy and campaigns: It actively communicates and campaigns on short-chain food issues, including public-facing initiatives, press work, and sector mobilization.