Vegetables grown on municipal land for school canteens, more than 2,000 boxes of organic food delivered every week, and livestock farms improving productivity through better pasture management. These are among the initiatives recognised at the fifth EU Organic Awards. They share a common approach: connecting knowledge and the responsible use of natural resources with markets and local needs.
The European Commission announced the winners on 23 September, marking EU Organic Day. More than 120 applications produced a shortlist of 21 candidates from 12 countries. The seven awards went to farmers, businesses and local communities in Ireland, Denmark, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, France and Italy.
This year’s selection highlights the importance of what happens beyond production itself: processing, reliable buyers, well-organised deliveries and consumer trust.
“When I travel across Europe, I meet farmers and entrepreneurs who are proving every day that sustainability and competitiveness can go hand in hand. The winners show what is possible when ambition, innovation and dedication come together,” said Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food.
Pasture at the heart of livestock farming
Ireland’s Kay O’Sullivan received the award for best female organic farmer. She raises cattle and sheep on the 63-hectare Glynn Organic Farm, which has been certified organic for sixteen and a half years.
Grass forms the basis of the animals’ diet. She pays particular attention to multispecies swards and measures available grass every week. This allows her to plan grazing more precisely, improve productivity and reduce both purchased feed and emissions.
She shares her knowledge through agricultural discussion groups, social media and local news. Her farm welcomes producers, study groups and international visitors, while open days allow others to see the results first-hand.
The award for best male organic farmer went to Denmark’s Hans Erik Joergensen. His 350-hectare farm, Risbjerg Landbrug, has been organic for 19 years. It combines pigs, cattle and laying hens with a diverse range of crops.
Pigs are raised on pasture, while diverse crop rotations and reduced tillage support soil health. His commitment to animal welfare and soil management is accompanied by support for people with additional needs, refugees and trainees. The farm contributes to more than 50 research and development projects, using practical farming experience to help test new solutions.
Reliable markets for local producers
The award for best organic food processing SME went to Bio Bulgaria, known for its Harmonica brand. Founded in 2006, the Bulgarian company employs 47 people and offers more than 30 products manufactured with partners.
Its value to local organic producers lies in stable market access and short supply chains. The company emphasises clear product origins, fair trading relationships and affordable food. It also promotes organic products through schools and the media.
Germany’s family-run Boßhammersch Hof, named best organic food retailer, offers another example of the importance of sales and distribution. Since its establishment in 1997, it has built a network connecting 60 organic farms with households, schools and rural communities.
With 44 employees, it delivers more than 2,000 plastic-free boxes every week. Customers receive seasonal products, mostly sourced within a 100-kilometre radius. An app provides delivery tracking and recipes, helping customers make use of the food they receive.
Food as an experience and an opportunity to learn
Austria’s Zotter Schokolade won the award for best organic restaurant or food service. According to the award information, the company employs 200 people and manages 95 hectares of farmland using sustainable practices.
Its restaurant follows a farm-to-table approach, including meat from its own livestock. Visitors can learn where their food comes from, how it is produced and how the animals are kept.
A cocoa cinema, chocolate theatre and an “edible zoo” form part of an experience combining food, education and tourism. Direct contact with consumers creates additional value around agricultural production.
A municipal garden supplying school kitchens
The French town of Cussac-Fort-Médoc, with a population of 2,326, provides a particularly interesting example. Named best organic city, it serves 50% organic products in its school canteens, supported by its own municipal farming service.
A 7,000-square-metre organic plot supplies half the fresh vegetables needed to prepare 230 meals a day. According to the award description, the system operates without transport or packaging and at no extra cost.
Surplus produce goes to local food aid, restaurants and shops. The initiative shows how a small municipality can directly connect farming, children’s meals and support for local residents.
Sardinia brings together 2,600 organic businesses
Italy’s Distretto Sardegna Bio received the award for best organic region or bio-district. Established in 2021, Italy’s largest bio-district covers a territory of 24,090 square kilometres and involves 2,600 organic businesses, with 184,000 hectares of organic farmland.
Producers, processors and consumers are connected through local supply chains, public procurement and rural energy communities. The bio-district also supports applications for funding and tenders, exports and the development of short supply chains.
“Committing to organic farming means investing in the future of our territories. It is a commitment to healthier soils, healthier food and more resilient rural communities, while strengthening local economies and creating new opportunities for farmers and citizens alike,” said Kirstine Bille, a member of the European Committee of the Regions.
Support must reflect farmers’ needs
Alongside recognition of these achievements, the awards also drew attention to the conditions in which organic farmers operate. Copa Vice-President Søren Søndergaard highlighted increasingly difficult markets, climate pressures and a rapidly changing agricultural policy environment.
“The future of organic farming should be built around those who practise it, giving farmers the tools, market opportunities and regulatory certainty they need to remain resilient and competitive,” he said.
The European Commission states that the proposed Common Agricultural Policy for the period after 2027 envisages continued support for organic farming and innovation, also drawing on research and the European Competitiveness Fund.
For producers in Serbia, these examples raise practical questions: how to secure regular buyers, bring several farms together under a shared offer, involve local processors and supply schools and households. The winners’ experience shows that organic farming creates greater value when production and sales are planned together and cooperation is built for the long term.
