The first principle of Postane’s Food Justice Policy: social procurement.

In other words: sourcing directly from cooperatives, local producers, social enterprises, and small farmers who use agroecological methods—people we can check in on, whose struggles we can stand with, with whom we can grow solidarity, and whose production processes are transparent.

We’ve been sustaining this solidarity-based economic model, built on that very approach, for over 3.5 years. At least 90% of our food purchases have followed these principles. We have avoided—and will continue to avoid—stocking products from chain supermarkets or large-scale industrial producers.

And our commitment didn’t stop at food. We’ve extended the same social procurement approach to our non-food needs as well. So far, we’ve sourced directly from 90 fair producers!

Through our Things with Stories shop, we’ve made space for dozens of social enterprises operating across sectors—food, personal care, home and kitchen goods, clothing, accessories, toys, stationery, and gifts—that prioritize people and the planet over profit.

By sharing the stories of these producers—who show through their work that another world is possible—we aim to contribute to the growth of a more just economy. Our main motivation has never been “Come visit our shop and buy these products.” Instead, it’s been: “Come meet these producers, and take steps toward transforming your personal or organizational supply chains in more ethical ways.”

Yes, there is an economic system that needs to shrink: one that damages the environment, exploits workers, and puts profit above human rights and democracy. But there’s also an economic system that urgently needs to grow—one rooted in the well-being of both people and the planet. We need to build a social economic model that is fair, ecological, and truly democratic.

You can’t separate a society’s well-being from its access to a just economy, freedom of expression, human rights, and democracy.

In difficult times, may we continue to show up for each other, keep hope alive, and build the brighter future we know is possible.

- The Postane Team

🗒️ At Postane, we source food through a model that’s transparent, just, and rooted in solidarity. We place our trust not in chain supermarkets, but in cooperatives, local producers, social enterprises, and small-scale farmers practicing agroecology. If you’d like to be part of this solidarity network, a good place to start is by shopping—within your means—from the food producers listed in our Postane Fair Producer Guide (currently available in Turkish).

🍲 We’re growing solidarity through pay-it-forward meals. As economic hardship deepens, sharing and supporting one another becomes even more vital. At Postane Cafe, our pay-it-forward meals initiative makes it easy to offer that support—any day we’re open, you can cover the cost of a meal in advance for someone who needs it.

The producers featured in Things with Stories create with a purpose—advocating for children’s right to play, empowering home-based workers, and crafting innovative products through upcycling. They work around social, environmental, and cultural issues, grounded in the principles of fair trade. Since December, the shop has merged with our food store, bringing together products from social enterprises, cooperatives, and artists under one roof. With your purchases of everyday goods—like staple foods, cosmetics, and gifts—you can contribute to building a stronger social economy.

On March 15, we welcomed spring with seeds. Throughout the day, we met with producers, sculpted together, shared seeds, and connected with those who hold deep knowledge of the land. You can now watch the three live broadcasts from the event on our YouTube channel (auto-generated English subtitles available):

🌱 Conversation with Esra Güven: Guardian of Seeds
🫘 Conversation with Sinem Dişli: The Heirloom Seed Library
🍃 Producers’ Panel: Protecting Seeds, Protecting the Future

Last month at Postane Hall, we came together with over 200 guests from across Turkey and Europe. Throughout the events, memory, spatial design, and local democracy stood out as key themes.

The acts of solidarity shown in the immediate aftermath of the February 6, 2023 earthquakes—the creation of shared spaces, the collective work of remembrance, and the continuation of impact-driven research—have contributed not only to healing in the region and rebuilding cities, but also to rethinking well-being in our urban lives, before disasters strike. At our event After the Earthquake: Notes to Ourselves on March 1, we explored this collective knowledge with our partners. You can watch the panel recording on our YouTube channel (auto-generated English subtitles available).

On March 3, we welcomed guests from the Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) Department of Architecture and shared the story of Postane’s transformation, discussing environmental concerns, spatial identity, and design processes.

Want to host an event at Postane? Contact us at [email protected] or fill in the application form.

Messages of Solidarity from Our Partners

Yekpare: “We will continue working to create supportive conditions for the social economy and social enterprises—and in doing so, to strengthen democracy and rebuild social trust.”

MAD (Center for Spatial Justice): “Freedom of expression, the right to peaceful protest, and the right to vote and be elected are essential to the struggle for spatial justice.”

Ashoka: “We believe that the potential to create [positive change] can only be realized in a context where justice, equality, and fundamental rights are truly protected.”

Kreşendo: “Have you ever wondered what it truly means not to give up on something—to carry it forward, with determination, no matter what?”

Bediz Yılmaz, moderator of the Food Justice Community, wrote for Fayn: “If you’re boycotting, choose fair food.”

In an interview with Aposto, Postane Director Yaşar Adanalı emphasized the importance of sustaining social procurement networks in difficult times.

To share your observations, suggestions, or ideas, reach us anytime on Instagram, at [email protected], or via WhatsApp: +90 530 590 15 17.

A snapshot from the old British Post Office building: Students of the English High School for Boys, 1908. The photo is from The Wolf and Crescent: English High School for Boys (1955) by Robert W. G. Willis.