October report: Organic produce vouchers

Blogopmaak

October report: Organic produce vouchers

Ollie Kohn-Haskins • 24 oktober 2023

Feedback from Participants

This month, we continued our work at the Stichting Limoenz giveaway shop: distributing vouchers for organic groceries and getting feedback from participants who used them, and made many new contacts with people excited to participate. Read the full reports here: in English or Dutch.

As in our previous surveying, we found that participants emphasized the inaccessibility and price of organic produce. Even though they know that organic produce is healthier, and could help them manage critical health issues such as diabetes, they do not have the time to commute to a specialty store and are not able to afford many products (especially fresh fruit and nuts). The government needs to decrease VAT on organic produce to ensure the health of our community!

Participants also raised concerns about the lack of information available about healthy eating and cooking, and the negative impacts of pesticides (on us and on the environment). We need to come together as a community to organize more events surrounding these topics and create change!

"Big companies stuff everything with additives that make you sick. If you give people a cup of

poison, they don't take it, but in the supermarket they sell products with (agricultural) poison,

namely pesticides on fruit and vegetables."

Additionally, participants expressed that stores that sell organic produce often seem less inviting than larger supermarkets, especially in regards to Ekovers. This has to do with the lack of demand for organic produce (as is it too expensive!) which means that organic stores cannot display as much food, as it may go bad before it is purchased. To improve this, organic produce stores could focus on advertising, joining Too Good To Go to make sure no food is wasted, or promoting the possibility of the U-Pass. On the topic of food waste, food exchange shelves need to become more visible and centralized, and better managed.

Overall, we received positive feedback from participants who used our organic grocery vouchers.

“It’s a world of difference from regular fruit from the supermarket.”

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AZC Residents in Utrecht explore Dutch farming

door Noor Ul Ain • 4 april 2025

On the 2nd of April, in collaboration with Welkom in Utrecht , we at DuurzaamUtrecht2030 arranged an excursion for the ladies from the AZC (asylum seekers' center) in Utrecht. The visit took place at 13:00 at Stadsboerderij Eilandsteede , an urban farm just an 8-minute walk from the AZC. The short distance made it easy for the residents to join, and many arrived full of curiosity and enthusiasm. The staff at Eilandsteede warmly welcomed us and gave an engaging tour of the farm, explaining what they do in terms of food growth and sustainability. It was inspiring to see how passionate they were about creating a space where people from different backgrounds could come together, learn, and contribute. During the tour, the staff highlighted the different ways they grow food, care for the animals, and maintain the farm in an environmentally friendly way. One of the most interesting aspects of the visit was seeing the farm’s use of vermicomposting. The staff showed us how they have created their own bins, using worms to break down organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. It was fascinating to see how this simple process not only reduces waste but also provides natural fertilizer for their crops, highlighting an innovative and sustainable approach to farming. They were also enthusiastic about involving different communities, and they actively encouraged AZC residents to join as volunteers. The response from the AZC residents was amazing. Many of them had never been to a place like this before, and they were fascinated by what they saw. One of the women from the Azc shared that she had never grown anything on her own before, but after seeing the farm, she felt inspired and wanted to learn more. This visit was about more than just looking around—it was a way to introduce the residents to sustainability in a practical and accessible way. Often, sustainable practices can seem distant or difficult to engage with, but through experiences like this, we can show that small actions, like growing your own food or taking care of a garden, can make a difference. By participating in activities like urban farming, the AZC residents can not only learn new skills but also become more involved in the community. It offers a sense of belonging, connection, and an opportunity to contribute to something meaningful. Sustainability is not just about the environment—it’s also about people, inclusion, and working together towards a better future. This excursion was a small but powerful step in that direction, and we hope to continue creating more opportunities for the AZC residents to engage in sustainable activities. To keep this momentum going, we at DuurzaamUtrecht2030 are exploring ways to grow this initiative and make it bigger. How can we create a more permanent connection between AZC residents and urban farming? Could we set up regular volunteer programs, gardening workshops, or even a small community garden at the AZC itself? This visit was just the beginning, and we believe there is great potential to expand sustainable activities for the residents—whether through farming, composting, or even sustainable cooking sessions using fresh produce from local farms. We also welcome ideas from the community—how can we involve more people, organizations, and resources to make this a long-term and impactful collaboration? If you have suggestions or want to be part of this journey, we would love to hear from you. Let’s work together to make sustainability more inclusive and accessible for everyone!

Gratis voortuin voor BO-EX huurders

door Ineke Malsch • 3 april 2025

Utrechtse huurders van woningcorporatie BO-EX krijgen gratis hulp om hun betegelde voortuin om te vormen in een groen paradijsje. Lees hier meer over op: https://www.boex.nl/gratis-voortuin-makeover en meld u snel aan. Huurt u niet bij BO-EX maar wilt u wel tuinieren of hulp in uw tuin? Kijk op de pagina sociaal moestuinieren voor tips.