Fight for regional products in the supermarket

Agriculture Minister Carola Schouten will enter into talks with supermarket chains to get more regional products on the shelves and will support farmers with regional products. This is in line with a proposal by Dutch MP Carla Dik-Faber, who wants to reduce the distance between farmers and consumers. Supermarkets now mainly buy large-scale food products from national or international parties.

Protecting regional products

With "a trade mission in their own country" she wants to make farmers aware of the benefits of a European recognition of their regional product. At the moment few regional products in the Netherlands are protected. To increase the knowledge on how to obtain a protected status, a special seminar will be organized together with the European Commission.

Knowledge and contacts needed

John Janssen, chairman of Biologisch Limburg, sees added value in support from the government, with finance and expertise. Janssen: "It is important to listen carefully to the growers, they know exactly what they need." That there is a need among Limburg growers to showcase their products in their own region is beyond dispute. Janssen: "They are proud of their products, and it would be nice if they were recognizable in the local supermarket. Especially in the contacts we have with the supermarkets, there is still a world to be won."

Growing interest among supermarkets

Limburg supermarket chain Jan Linders has been involved in regional purchasing for 10 years. Also parties like PLUS and Albert Heijn start to pay more and more attention to regional products. Jan Linders spokesperson, Gineke Wilms, sees plenty of room for growth: "Sometimes producers lack the knowledge on how to go about it or the rules are very complicated. That's a good task for the government." The customer ultimately benefits, Wilms thinks: "When it comes to food, trust is very important for consumers. It's wonderful that you can then buy products in the supermarket from a farmer you may even know personally."

Sources: Limburger, Biological Limburg