Mercato del Giusto

A market that puts the land at the center

The Mercato del Giusto is much more than a simple market: it is a public space for exchanging ideas about what the land offers in a good and fair way. Promoted by the Municipality of Melpignano, in the province of Lecce, the initiative transforms the scenic Piazza San Giorgio, with its porticoes and mother church, into a meeting place for farmers, artisans, and citizens. Here, purchasing local products becomes an opportunity to reflect on organic farming, biodiversity, short supply chains, and food sovereignty.

The philosophy: good, clean, and fair

The event was born from the vision of making Melpignano a hub for agroecology and ethical consumption. The producers' stalls are accompanied by debates and meetings on food, the environment, renewable energy, and social issues, where farmers and consumers can engage directly. The common thread is sustainability in all its forms: respect for the ecosystem, human health, solidarity-based economy, and the promotion of the Salento region.

What to expect

• Stands of Salento farmers with zero-mile products
• Handicrafts and goods made with respect for the environment
• Debates and moments of reflection on sustainability, food, and social issues
• Free evening musical performances to close each event

Two editions per year

Mercato del Giusto is divided into two cycles: a summer edition, between July and August, and an autumn-winter edition, which brings the colors and flavors of the cold season to the square. In both cases, admission is free, with the square coming alive from late afternoon until evening.

Melpignano and Grecìa Salentina

Located in the heart of Grecìa Salentina, the Grika-speaking area of lower Salento, Melpignano is a small town known throughout Apulia for hosting the Notte della Taranta concert. Mercato del Giusto represents its most daily and civic soul: a community project that weaves together farming tradition, culture, and environmental commitment, inviting residents and visitors to more conscious consumption.