Patrícia Nichterwitz will lead the Santa Cruzense Association of Marketers (Assafe) in 2024, together with vice-president Danilo Hentscke. She was elected in an assembly held on Thursday (15), at the headquarters of the Family Agriculture Workers Union of Santa Cruz do Sul and region. Also on the board are Romeu Emílio Kist, as treasurer; Décio Beckenkamp, deputy treasurer; Simone Walter, secretary; and Diego Fritzen, deputy secretary.
The new president highlights that the objective is to strengthen the group of more than 80 vendors, encouraging consumers to purchase family farming products. “We have a very large production from our families who depend on this activity and the idea is to continue this work, strengthening the production and sales chain, bringing fresh, quality products to the consumer’s table”, she highlights.
History of Assafe
The Rural Fair began on September 23, 1980, with 28 families who settled on Rua Galvão Costa, who ended up coming from the former Clubes 4S and Grupos do Lar. Initially, the items were collected by truck provided by the city hall. Later, farmers organized themselves into groups and began to transport their products to the city.
The first point of sale was on Rua Galvão Costa, where the stallholders remained serving for two weeks, then moved to Rua Ernesto Alves, close to the old Railway Station. Afterwards, wooden tents were built, covered with canvas in front of the station.
In 1984, the Santa Cruzense Marketers Association (Assafe) was created, with the purpose of representing vegetable producers. The Center’s current fair was opened in 1985, with 20 stalls for producers. Later, other points were added in neighborhoods of the city, until reaching the current seven stands.
