This is the social project behind the yogurt consumed by María Branyas, the oldest woman in the world

Yogurts, jams, ice creams, desserts… and even a gardening service. These are the wickers that make up ‘The Fageda’a non-profit social project that is organized around ‘Fundación La Fageda’. His rise to fame occurred after the publication a few days ago of a study on Maria Branyaswho until August 2024 was the oldest woman in the world. Branyas, 117 years old and with an account on the X network, mentioned that he consumed these yogurts.

The entity, born in 1982 hand in hand by the Aragonese psychologist Christopher Columbus to provide work for fifteen people with intellectual disabilities, is located in the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park (Girona). From La Fageda, its Communication Manager Esther Carreras, recognizes that they have received “calls from places like the United Kingdom or the United States, as well as distribution proposals” and that interest has grown in the distribution points of its products, although the foundation does not export. The social heart, the raw materials and attention to market trends are key.

Its products are already consumed by 2.8 million people in Catalonia, where it has a penetration of 32.4%, according to the specialized consulting firm Kantar. Last year he managed a global turnover of 37.39 million eurosthis is 7.3% more than in fiscal year 2023, according to its ‘2024 Sustainability Report’. Profits exceeded one million euros, after two years of losses due to the rise in raw materials and energy prices.

In this regard, Carreras highlights that “all profits are reinvested in the project.” The majority of the invoiced originates from the production of milk products (yogurts and desserts such as crème brûlée), with which it brought in 28.08 million last year (8.83% more than in 2023), followed by jams (1.05 million), the gardening service (918,468 euros) and the ice cream (656,290 euros). In addition, its facilities received visits from 48,390 people interested in this initiative last year.

‘La Fageda’ had a turnover of 37.39 million euros last year, the majority from the production of dairy products (yogurts and desserts) for which it earned 28.08 million. The profits, all reinvested in the project, exceeded one million euros

Leaving Catalonia after the pandemic and a new launch

‘La Fageda’ has its own farm – ‘Els Casals’ – with a livestock cabin of 257 cows and calves of the Friesian breedof which 122 are adult cows intended for milk production while the rest are young calves for replacement or reproduction. All the raw materials generated are destined for the yogurt makingHowever, the milk they demand exceeds their own production and the rest is ordered from farms in the Olot region with production processes certified by the Foundation itself and an independent entity.

The impact of Covid 19 and the escalation in the price of raw materials after the Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted the firm to look for new markets beyond its native Catalonia and opted to bring its famous yogurts to the shelves of large supermarkets in the Valencia Community, Madrid and the Balearic Islands. Population and geographical proximity weighed in their decision.

“We are committed to Mass Consumption and we are satisfied. We have placed some references such as natural yogurt,” says Carreras about a ‘leap’ who rules out a large-scale expansion strategy at the national level. In any case, ‘La Fageda’ has made several releases in recent years such as the ‘Original Yogurt’ with which the 40 years of life of the project were celebrated. In 2026, the commercialization of a new yogurt is planned.

A project aimed at vulnerable groups

The Foundation currently has a hired staff of 350 people (according to the ‘Report’ there are up to 651 people linked to this initiative), the majority of vulnerable groups with disability certification (mental disorders, intellectual disabilities…) and people at risk of exclusion (long-term unemployed, immigrants…). Its activity also impacts local companies: last year it spent 13.9 million euros on purchases from suppliers in the La Garrotxa region.

“We are a social, non-profit project, whose objective is to improve lives. As our founder said: we are not dedicated to making yogurt, we transform lives”, explains the head of Communication of the entity who assures that despite its opening that began in 2023 to other markets in the rest of Spain “The focus is to continue generating employment for vulnerable groups”.

“We are a social, non-profit project whose objective is to improve lives. As our founder said: we are not dedicated to making yogurt, we transform lives,” says the head of Communication at ‘La Fageda’ Esther Carreras.

As an example of the above, Carreras points out, the origin of his current ice cream manufacturing plant (61,663 kg and an income of 656,290 euros in 2024) that was born from a Special Employment Center that existed in Badalona and that was going to disappear 15 years ago. An activity that was absorbed by ‘La Fageda’ with the aim of “saving” the 15 existing jobs.

Meanwhile, from its old nursery section, its current jam maker created in 2012 and generated a turnover of more than one million euros, as well as a production of 149,000 kilos last year. The gardening servicesits oldest ‘business’ and which currently employs more than 30 people, is already in charge of taking care of the green areas of all the municipalities in the Olot region.

An “extraordinary difference”

In this sense, Carreras highlights that the relationship between ‘La Fageda’ and its workers goes beyond what is usual in a company: “We improve people’s lives and our model is comprehensive care in 5 dimensions: Work, leisure, training related to the job, we manage different support services in each case… “, describes the representative of this entity who adds that many ‘retire’ with them and remain linked to the project, through other services such as occupational therapy. In this sense, it becomes a true life project.