Before we tell you what CADEG is, tell us: what is CADEG to you?
Video produced by the students of the PBL111 class
CADEG (Centro de Abastecimento do Estado da Guanabara) is the Mercado Municipal of Rio de Janeiro. It has 706 stores and business and service spaces, offering both domestic and imported products. In 2018, CADEG was listed as an Official Public Heritage Site of Rio de Janeiro. Today, the Market is also one of the city's gastronomic landmarks, thanks to the variety and quality of its restaurants and, of course, its well-known food festivals, which have been held since 2013. "CADEG is an extremely diverse place, with dozens of options for things to do throughout an entire day. Strolling through it means entering a whole world of its own, complete with numbered streets and long corridors."1
One of the "streets" of CADEG. Source: Comida na Mesa website
Image description: This is a photograph of a local market. On the left, we see people walking and talking. On the right, there is a variety of fresh produce arranged in boxes and on shelves. In the center, there is a refrigerator with beverages. In the background, there are signs with letters and numbers in blue and white.Students from class ADM111 wrote the text above and conducted interviews with some regulars at CADEG:
The first interview was conducted with the merchant José Carlos:
What does CADEG mean to you?
CADEG, for me, is without a doubt a great commercial center, which serves small shopkeepers and the families of the surrounding area very well.
What you like most and least about CADEG
CADEG has many good things. What I like most is the food scene, and what I like least is the traffic on busy days -- it becomes unbearable due to the number of people who come there to shop.
Fresh fruits at CADEG stalls. Source: WikiRio
Image description: The image is a photograph of a fruit market. On the left, there are wooden crates containing yellow bananas and other fruit items. In the center, there is a large wooden table with a variety of fruits on display. In front are yellow and red pineapples, while behind are green avocados and other types of fruit. On the right, there are more wooden crates with more fruit. At the top of the image, there are more crates of fruits and vegetables. The colors range from green, yellow, and red to brown. There is no visible text in the image.Which store do you work at?
Actually, within CADEG, I have a company that works with commercial representation. We represent and distribute products from 5 companies related to construction materials.
How does CADEG affect your life?
CADEG doesn't affect my life negatively at all -- on the contrary, it only gives me great returns and the chance to progress.
How long have you had the company at CADEG?
18 years ago.
During this time, what has changed?
Many things have changed. One, for example, was security, which reassures me a lot. Another was the convenience of commerce, banks… everything in the same place. That changed a lot and made things easier for our company.
How did you start working at CADEG?
Actually, I didn't start out there. My company was somewhere else, but I wanted to buy a space at CADEG to have more peace of mind.
What difficulties did you face, working at CADEG?
At first it was just adaptation. We had some difficulties with getting around and making coworkers, since CADEG is very large. But little by little we found our place, and today it's very good.
The second interviewee was a former employee, Alessandra:
How did you start working at CADEG?
As an attendant.
For how long?
4 months.
Which store did you work at?
Cantinho das Flores.
Flower Market. Source: Minhas Plantas website
Image description: This is a photograph of a plant stall at a market or garden. On the left side, we see a variety of plants in pots and plastic bags, with a green-leaved tree standing out. In the center, there is a stack of plants in plastic bags, some with red flowers. On the right, more plants are arranged on shelves, with a large green-leaved plant standing out. The background shows more plants and metal structures, possibly plant supports. The lighting is natural, with sunlight shining through the leaves. There is no visible text in the image.What difficulties did you face, working at CADEG?
Sometimes it was very hot, and during holiday periods like New Year, winter, and Easter, it would get very crowded.
How did CADEG affect your life?
I learned many lessons and made many friends.
What does CADEG mean to you?
A wonderful memory.
What you like most and least about CADEG?
I like the colors, smells, varieties, styles, joy, versatility. I don't like the dangerous neighborhood, some prices that are too expensive, poor air conditioning.
Students from class HPD301 created a DIGITAL MAGAZINE that, in addition to the history of CADEG, presents memories of a day visiting the market. Check it out at this link!
According to TransPortal - a transportation and tourism website.
