The European Commission has announced the winners of the third edition of the EU Organic Awards.
Nearly 100 applications were received from across the EU for this year’s edition, with 24 candidates shortlisted from 11 countries. The EU Organic Awards feature 7 categories and 8 individual awards, recognising innovative, sustainable, and inspiring projects that add significant value to organic production and consumption. The awards are organised by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee, with support from the European Parliament.
The winners of the edition 2024 of the EU Organic Awards are:
- Best organic farmer (female): Reinhilde Frech-Emmelmann (Austria). Ms Frech-Emmelmann founded ReinSaat GmbH in 1998 at a biodynamic Demeter farm in St. Leonhard am Hornerwald, Lower Austria. The farm specializes in organic, GMO-free seeds, with over 800 seed-resistant varieties, promoting biodiversity and sustainable farming across Europe.
- Best organic farmer (male): Benny Schöpf (Germany). Mr Schöpf is the chief vegetable grower at Kartoffelkombinat, the largest community-supported cooperative farm in Germany. Supplying 2,300 households with organic vegetables weekly, the farm prioritizes sustainable practices, promoting an alternative agricultural economic system.
- Best organic region: South Savo in Finland. South Savo has built a strong organic farming culture through 40 years of collaboration between farmers, researchers, and local authorities. With 200 organic farms, the region promotes sustainable practices, preserving water quality and biodiversity, and is home to the Finnish Organic Research Institute.
- Best organic city: BioStadt Bremen in Germany. With over 30% of farms certified organic, the city promotes sustainable food systems through community projects and innovative farming initiatives, empowering citizens to drive local change. BioStadt Bremen is working towards converting all municipal catering in schools, crèches, and hospitals to 100% organic by 2025.
- Best organic bio-district: Sörmland Bio-district in Sweden. Located south of Stockholm, Sörmland has been a pioneer in organic farming since the 1940s, bringing together farms, food processors, restaurants, and more. With 20% of its farmland organic, the district promotes local organic products, sustainable tourism, and awareness of organic food’s health benefits.
- Best organic food processing SME: Gino Girolomoni Cooperativa Agricola in Italy. Located in the Marche region, this cooperative specialises in organic pasta production, continuing the mission of its founder, Gino Girolomoni. With 80 hectares of organic farmland and renewable energy-powered facilities, it produces 9 million tons of pasta annually, supporting over 300 farmers and 60 local workers.
- Best organic food retailer: SAiFRESC in Spain. Founded by three farmers in 2011, SAiFRESC transitioned to organic farming, revitalising agriculture in the Huerta de Valencia. With 30 hectares of organic land, they produce 70 organic products, selling 90% of their harvest locally and reducing packaging. The initiative promotes a circular economy and provides educational workshops on organic farming.
- Best organic restaurant/food service: Kalf & Hansen in Sweden. Founded in 2014 by Rune and Fabian Kalf-Hansen, this restaurant chain offers 100% organic, seasonal Nordic cuisine. With two restaurants, catering services, and organic meals on Swedish trains, Kalf & Hansen prioritise local sourcing, sustainability, and affordable organic meals, building strong relationships with local producers.
EU Organic Day was launched by the European Commission in 2021 to celebrate and promote organic farming.
The post Winners of EU Organic Awards 2024 announced appeared first on Euronewsweek.
