Berry farmer Armin Lenz, LR Johann Seitinger, berry farmer Irene Gombotz and SPAR Styria Managing Director Christoph Holzer - Photo: Spar
When Armin Lenz entered the farm of his father as a young man, there were five hectares of organic blueberries. At that time, 2008, the first cooperation of a farming community with SPAR, around Straden was born. "Over the next ten years, we have grown together," says Lenz, now 28 years old and a young organic farmer. Today, the variety of berries from Straden is so large and varied that it is marketed for the first time in Styria via SPAR. Delicious raspberries and blueberries are now available on the SPAR shelves. Other products such as Styrian currants, blackberries and kiwi berries will follow later this year. "Projects such as these give smaller farms a chance to be competitive and to sell their regional products," says Christoph Holzer, Managing Director of SPAR Styria and Southern Burgenland. "At SPAR, we offer over 5,300 products from regional producers - and we are always looking for new ones!"
When Armin Lenz entered the farm of his father as a young man, there were five hectares of organic blueberries. At that time, 2008, the first cooperation of a farming community with SPAR, around Straden was born. "Over the next ten years, we have grown together," says Lenz, now 28 years old and a young organic farmer. Today, the variety of berries from Straden is so large and varied that it is marketed for the first time in Styria via SPAR. Delicious raspberries and blueberries are now available on the SPAR shelves. Other products such as Styrian currants, blackberries and kiwi berries will follow later this year. "Projects such as these give smaller farms a chance to be competitive and to sell their regional products," says Christoph Holzer, Managing Director of SPAR Styria and Southern Burgenland. "At SPAR, we offer over 5,300 products from regional producers - and we are always looking for new ones!"
Long-term SPAR cooperation with regional agriculture
The farmer community from Straden developed its own brand for the "berry-rich" variety at SPAR: BEO -from "berry" and "organic"- is what these berries are called, and every variety even has its own slogan: "Turn it blue" is on the label of the blueberries, "Heavenly sweetness" is seen on the raspberries. "SPAR was enthusiastic about the concept when presented with the BEO berries," says Lenz. "The brand appeals to people’s feelings and makes them want to try the fruit." The long-term perspective is particularly important for young farmers like Armin Lenz: "SPAR accompanies us and forces us to go for strategies that are focused on the future. This removes much of the risks involved in marketing. "Supporting regional agriculture is a core philosophy at SPAR: Sustainability, freshness and regional agriculture are the cornerstones of our entrepreneurial orientation," stresses Holzer. "We want to be the first point of contact for innovative agricultural projects."
Organic agriculture as a recipe for success
Farms are often too small to be competitive on their own. The berry farms in Straden do not cover more than five to ten hectares of land. Long-term cooperation with SPAR, a 100 percent Austrian family business, provides security. Agriculture often offers young people unimagined perspectives. For example, Armin Lenz told of a young female farmer who, as a newcomer, gave up her job as an office worker and has since been successfully growing organic redcurrants. "Through successful cooperation, there are always new opportunities for young farmers," stresses Holzer.
Minister Johann Seitinger on the organic berry cooperation:
"It is very gratifying to see with what enthusiasm our young farmers produce new, innovative products for small but also large markets, and what commitment they make in professional marketing. Styria was and is a land of quality, regionality and diversity and will continue to stay on this path in the future."
Source: Spar.at