The main issues in organic are a rich recipe of initiatives, strategies, policies and inspirational stories – both small and big. Find out what they are!
Regional Value Creation
Organic is all about creating value. And where better to tackle this main issue than in the regions. Find out more!
Parisculteurs calls for ideas
Parisculteurs, the innovative urban farming project in the city of Paris, has issued a call for proposals to develop sites in and around Paris.
Urban rooftop farming: Paris supports Green’elle
Urban rooftop farming is one of the many initiatives aiming to improve the uptake of organic food in cities. But it is not always received with open arms, as the experience with the Greenelle reservoir project in Paris shows
Preston model soon in Europe?
The northern English town of Preston has “taken back control” of its procurement strategy and handed over 100% of ...Read More
Vegan coffee drinkers boost Bavarian oat growers
How the growing interest in vegan alternatives to milk is opening up a new market for organic farmers in Bavaria.
Life Beyond the City Walls
The regular column of Gabriella Piccinni, Professor of Medieval History at the University of Siena.
The quest for good governance and the common good: city and country in dialogue
by Gabriella Piccinni The search for good government and the common good, that is, the subordination of private interest to that of the community, ...Read More
The Italy of cities, the Italy of the countryside
Professor of Medieval History, Gabriella Piccinni, examines the historical link between the city and the countryside in Italy.
Action Plan
News and views about the Action Plan for the Development of EU Organic Production
Meeting of minds – Organic Cities visits Agriculture Commissioner
There was a very good atmosphere when representatives of Organic Cities met Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski.
EU Organic Awards: Seeham wins Best Organic City
The European Commission has unveiled the winners of the first ever EU Organic Awards, awarding Seeham the prize of Best ...Read More
Diego Canga Fano invites submissions to EU Organic Awards
In an email to potential candidates, Diego Canga Fano, Principal Advisor, European Commission DG Agriculture & Rural Development, issued an invitation to eligible organic cities to submit applications for the new EU Organic Awards.
The Farm to Fork strategy and EU Organic Action Plan
Eduardo Cuoco, Director of IFOAM Organics Europe, explains the concrete steps behind the Farm to Fork strategy to boost demand for organic food
Food Culture & Health
News about practices, attitudes, and initiatives as well as the networks and institutions involved in the production, distribution, and consumption of food.
Organic Lunch Box Kids – Nuremberg’s healthy eating campaign for kids
To inspire its younger residents to eat more heathily while having fun in the process, the BioMetropole Nürnberg has dedicated a section of its website to primary-age children.
Digesting Farm to Fork – what is the EU’s new strategy?
What is the Farm to Fork Strategy, what are its goals and what does it mean for farmers, the fishing community and members of the public?
Organic product market in Italy
In addition to the Farmers', Organic and Traditional Producers' Market, held every first Sunday of the month in the historic centre, watercolourists, landscape painters and portrait painters will be exhibiting and painting their works in Via dell'Amore.
Climate Policy
News about the policies being enacted or discussed in Europe and the member states that are relevant to the organic cities movement.
Pesticide free – Loro Ciuffenna leads the way
The Municipality of Loro Ciuffenna is particularly sensitive to issues of environmental protection and sustainability, as demonstrated not only by its membership of Organic ...Read More
Activist helps Pope address climate change
The New Yorker magazine writes about a young American activist who is helping the Catholic church to dedicate ...Read More
Josef Taucher is new Chairman of Organic Cities
Josef Taucher has been named the new Chairman of Organic Cities. The Viennese politician vows to turn Vienna into a model climate city.
Sustainable farming policy and the Green Deal
Sustainable farming policy and the European Green Deal. What will the agricultural sector in Italy do to achieve tthe ambitious targets.
Sustainable Food Plans
News about the main issue of how to achieve a sustainable public food service in Europe using the lever of education and training.
“My school without waste”: sustainable food strategy in Florence
As part of its programme to promote sustainable food strategies, the Municipality of Florence has developed an innovative project: “My school without waste”.
Bremen new Organic Cities member
On 23 March 2021, Bremen became the latest member of the Organic Cities Network Europe. We asked at Bremen City Council what motivated Bremen to join the European network.
Vienna sustainable food procurement achieves 5-figure CO2 reduction
Thanks to its programme ÖkoKauf Wien (EcoBuy Vienna), the City of Vienna has achieved a 5-digit CO2 reduction by cutting emissions by 15,000 tons per year.
Urban food policy: Milan leads the way
Urban food policy: The City of Milan has put together a report in which it brings together research and best ...Read More
Equality
One of the main issues that needs to be addressed is equal access to organic food. Here you can find news about what organic food networks are doing to ensure equality!
City of Paris: organic food aid during Coronavirus
City of Paris to help struggling Parisian families pay for healthy meals for children who do not have access to organic food due to the COVID pandemic.
Sustainable Food Places launches Food Resilience Grants
On 19 January, the UK-based organic food partnerships network, Sustainable Food Places, launched an initiative to provide grants to SFP members in deprived areas in England that have been hit hard by Covid-19.
Canteen life
Canteen life explores the initiatives and projects relating to municipal canteens in Europe.
Sportello mense BIO supports school canteens
Sportello Mense BIO addresses all stakeholders in the catering industry to promote the introduction and continuous supply of organic food.
European Green Deal: Commission boost for canteens
On 25 March 2021, the European Commission presented its action plan to boost organic production. We analysed the Action Plan and extracted what it says about the role of organic cities in achieving its aims.
Organic uptake in public kitchens – BioBitte showcases best practice
In January 2021, the BioBitte initiative started publishing a series of portraits to showcase municipal and public kitchens that have successfully increased the share of organic food
Paris Sustainable Food Plan 5 years on – how did it do?
In 2015, the City of Paris set itself the target of achieving 50% sustainable food in its 1,300 community restaurants by 2020. So, how did it get on?
BIOCANTEENS: How one city went 100% organic at no extra cost
For those familiar with Asterix comics, Mouans-Sartoux (FR) could be compared to a small sustainable city, surrounded by the rather ...Read More
