The Commission announced today the eight winners of the third edition of the EU Organic Awards.
Today, the European Commission has announced the winners of the third edition of the EU Organic Awards. This year’s winners follow the high standards set by their predecessors and showcase sustainable and inspiring projects across the organic value chain. The organic actors and projects awarded today demonstrate how agriculture can create innovative value chains and generate job opportunities in rural areas across the EU. The awards take place on EU Organic Day, an initiative launched by the European Parliament, the Council, and the European Commission in 2021 to celebrate and promote organic production.
The winners of the edition 2024 of the EU Organic Awards are:
- Best organic farmer (female) to Ms Reinhilde Frech-Emmelmann in Austria. Ms Frech-Emmelmann foundedReinSaat GmbH in 1998 together with Demeter and organic farmers and gardeners in St. Leonhard am Hornerwald. The farm specialises in organic, GMO-free seeds, with over 800 highly resistant varieties, promoting biodiversity and sustainable farming across Europe.
- Best organic farmer (male) to Mr Benny Schöpf in Germany. Mr Schöpf is the chief vegetable grower at Kartoffelkombinat, the largest community-supported farm in Germany. Supplying 2,300 householdswith organic vegetables weekly, the farm prioritises fair working conditions and sustainable practices, promoting an alternative agricultural economic system.
- Best organic region to 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 to 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 to 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 other actors such as anEco-hotel and an Eco-bank. With 20% of its farmland organic, the district promotes local organic products, organic public catering, sustainable tourism, and awareness of organic food’s health benefits.
- Best organic food processing SME to 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 local farmers and 60 local workers.
- Best organic food retailer to 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 high quality organic fruits and vegetables, 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 to 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, and catering services for the Swedish railways (SJ), Kalf & Hansen prioritise local sourcing, sustainability, and affordable organic meals, building strong relationships with local producers.
Nearly 100 applications were received from across Europe for this year's edition, with 24 candidates shortlisted from 11 EU 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, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, COPA-COGECA, and IFOAM Organics Europe, with support from the European Parliament and the Council.
Background
By producing high quality food with low environmental impact, organic farming plays an essential role in developing a sustainable food system for the EU. Following the EU Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production in the EU, adopted in 2021, the Commission works to further promote the benefits of organic production. The launch and celebration of an EU Organic Day and EU Organic Awards are two concrete actions to bring organic production into the spotlight. The current Common Agricultural Policy also provides more financial support for EU farmers converting to and remaining in organic farming. Nearly all Member States now have comprehensive organic production strategies in place, for the first time ever.
Between 2012 and 2022, the share of total organic area in the EU's total utilised agricultural area rose from 5.9 % to an estimated 10.5 %. This represents an estimated increase of 7.4 million hectares. In the last few years, the market for organic products has held up remarkably despite certain challenges, notably the high inflation and rise of energy costs. Total EU organic retail sales increased from €38.6 billion in 2019 to €45.0 billion in 2022, with a peak at €46.3 billion in 2021.The EU is the second largest market for organic products, after the US.
More examples of the actions taken under the EU action plan to develop organic production are available in this factsheet.