The EU Organic Awards 2023, which celebrate excellence and innovation in the organic sector, have revealed their finalists for each of the seven categories. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Brussels on 27 September 2023, two days after the EU organic day.
The awards recognise the achievements of various actors along the organic value chain, from farmers to retailers, who have developed outstanding projects that contribute to the growth and development of organic production and consumption in Europe.
On 18 July 2023, the finalists for the second edition of the awards were announced for each category. The EU organic awards scheme comprises 7 categories and 8 individual awards. They acknowledge different actors along the organic value chain, which developed an excellent, innovative, sustainable and inspiring project producing real added value for organic production and consumption.
The categories and the finalists are as follows:
Category 1: Best organic farmer (female) and Best organic farmer (male)
The objective of this award is to reward a farmer (one female and one male). This award is organised by COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe.
The finalists for the female category are:
- Małgorzata Pucer from Pasiekapucer in Barciany, Poland. She runs a family beekeeping farm that produces organic honey and other bee products. She also educates children and adults about the importance of bees for biodiversity and food security.
- Céline Clenet from La Casseline in Cassel, France. She is a baker who grows her own organic wheat and rye on her farm. She also makes her own sourdough bread and pastries using traditional methods and local ingredients.
- Clara Benito Pacheco from Entrelobas in Serrada de la Fuente, Spain. She is a shepherdess who manages a flock of 300 sheep in a mountainous area. She produces organic cheese and wool, and promotes agroecology and rural development.
The finalists for the male category are:
- Roberto Giadone from Natura Iblea in Ispica, Sicily, Italy. He is an organic farmer who cultivates ancient varieties of cereals, legumes, vegetables and fruits. He also processes his own products into pasta, flour, oil and preserves.
- Thomas Moschos from Moschos Farm in Kastoria, Greece. He is an organic farmer who grows medicinal and aromatic plants, such as lavender, mint, oregano and chamomile. He also distills his own essential oils and hydrosols, and makes natural cosmetics and herbal teas.
- Mikhaylo Haliv from Tomelloso in Ciudad Real, Spain. He is an organic farmer who produces saffron, the most expensive spice in the world. He uses innovative techniques to improve the quality and yield of his crop, and also educates consumers about the benefits of saffron.
Category 2: Best organic region
The objective of this award is to reward a region. This award is organised by the European Committee of the Regions.
The finalists are:
- Dordogne, France. This region is known for its rich gastronomy and cultural heritage. It has a high share of organic farms (15%) and consumers (25%), and supports the development of local organic markets, tourism and education.
- Centre-Val de Loire, France. This region is famous for its castles and vineyards. It has a strong commitment to organic farming (12%) and consumption (20%), and fosters innovation, cooperation and diversification in the sector.
- Burgenland, Austria. This region is located on the border with Hungary. It has a long tradition of organic farming (23%) and wine production (40%). It also promotes renewable energy, social inclusion and rural development.
Category 3: Best organic city
The objective of this award is to reward a city. This award is organised by European Committee of the Regions.
The finalists are:
- BioStadt Bremen, Germany. This city has a vision to become a model of urban sustainability and resilience. It supports organic farming in its surroundings, encourages organic consumption in its public institutions and citizens, and raises awareness about environmental issues.
- Hajdúnánás Városi Önkormányzat, Hungary. This city is located in the eastern part of the country. It has a high proportion of organic farms (30%) and consumers (50%), and offers various services and incentives for them, such as training, certification, subsidies and events.
- Stadt Wien, Austria. This city is the capital of Austria and one of the largest cities in Europe. It has a comprehensive strategy to promote organic food in its public catering (50%), schools (80%) and kindergartens (100%), as well as in its markets, shops and restaurants.
Category 4: Best organic “bio-district”
The objective of this award is to reward a “bio-district”. This award is organised by the European Committee of the Regions.
A bio-district is a geographical area where farmers, citizens, tourist operators, associations and public authorities enter into an agreement for the sustainable management of local resources, based on organic principles and practices.
The finalists are:
- Bio Região de S. Pedro do Sul, Portugal. This bio-district is located in the centre of Portugal, in a mountainous area with natural hot springs. It has a network of organic farmers, processors and retailers, who cooperate to preserve the local biodiversity, culture and health.
- Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal. This bio-district is situated in the eastern part of Portugal, near the border with Spain. It has a strong focus on organic farming (20%) and innovation, and hosts several events and projects related to organic food, such as festivals, fairs and incubators.
- Biodistretto Amerina e delle Forre ETS, Italy
Category 5: Best organic food processing SME
The objective of this award is to reward a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) processing organic products. This award is organised by the European Economic and Social Committee.
Finalists
- Fürstenhof GmbH – Finkenthal, Germany: This SME is a dairy company that produces organic cheese and other dairy products. It uses milk from its own farm and from other organic farms in the region. It also implements circular economy principles, such as biogas production, composting and water recycling.
- The Merry Mill – Vicarstown, Ireland: This SME is a oat mill that produces organic oat products. It uses oats from its own farm and from other organic farms in Ireland. It also offers gluten-free options, innovative packaging and online sales.
- Ekološka kmetija Kukenberger – Trebnje, Slovenia: This SME is a fruit farm that produces organic fruit products. It uses fruits from its own orchard and from other organic orchards in Slovenia. It also creates value-added products, such as jams, juices, syrups and vinegar.
Category 6: Best organic food retailer
The objective of this award is to reward an SME food retailer selling organic products. This award is organised by the European Economic and Social Committee.
Finalists
- Valle y Vega Cooperativa Agroecológica de Granada – Churriana de la Vega, Spain: This SME is a cooperative that sells organic products from local producers. It operates an online platform and a physical store, where customers can order baskets of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as other organic products.
- Gut Wulksfelde (Bioland) – Tangstedt, Germany: This SME is a farm shop that sells organic products from its own farm and from other organic farms in Germany. It offers a wide range of products, such as meat, dairy, bakery, grocery and cosmetics.
- NaturaSì Ariele Conegliano – Conegliano, Italy: This SME is a supermarket that sells organic products from Italy and abroad. It provides a variety of products, such as fresh produce, dry goods, prepared meals and household items.
Category 7: Best organic restaurant/food service
The objective of this award is to reward an SME restaurant/food service restaurant (standalone or part of a hotel) and/or food service (caterer or canteen) proposing organic certified references in their menu. This award is organised by the European Economic and Social Committee.
Finalists
- Luftburg – Kolarik im Prater GmbH – Vienna, Austria: This SME is a restaurant that serves organic food and drinks. It specialises in Austrian cuisine, such as schnitzel, sausages and beer. It also caters for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free customers.
- Trnulja Country Estate – Ljubljana, Slovenia: This SME is a country estate that offers organic food and accommodation. It grows its own organic crops and animals on its farm. It also prepares traditional dishes, such as soups, stews and pies.
- Biohotel St.Daniel – Stanjel, Slovenia: This SME is a hotel that provides organic food and lodging. It sources its ingredients from local organic farmers and producers. It also serves seasonal menus, such as salads, pasta and desserts.
The winners of each category will be announced at the award ceremony on 25 September 2023 in Brussels. The ceremony will be part of the Organic Food Day event organised by the European Commission.
The announcement of the winners for the EU organic awards 2023 is scheduled to take place during the award ceremony in Brussels on 25 September 2023. This ceremony will be a significant segment of the Organic Innovation Days 2023, an event dedicated to presenting the most recent advancements in organic farming and food systems.
According to the EU organizer, the deadline for applications for the 2023 edition was 14 May 2023 at 23:59:59 CEST. The applications for the upcoming edition will be made available in early 2024.
For more information about the EU organic awards, please visit the official website.
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