Urban farming for climate change mitigation

Mayor Ludwig and City Councillor Sima: Active against climate change with vegetables from Vienna

Vienna pensioners’ homes enjoy organic potatoes from Vienna – new logistics save 40 tons of CO2 per year

Organic potatoes from Vienna: these are enjoyed by the residents of the Viennese pensioner houses all year round. The annual demand of the Kuratorium Wiener Pensionisten Wohnhäuser is about 350 tons of organic potatoes. The high-quality food is grown and harvested on the areas of the city’s own Bio-Zentrum Lobau according to strict organic criteria.

The Bio-Zentrum of the City of Vienna specialises in the primary production of vegetables and cereals. As there are only a few organic certified companies with the appropriate distribution structure, until recently a wholesaler in Lower Austria has been working together, which of course required longer transport distances. However, the City of Vienna wants to build up the entire value chain in Vienna and implement the distribution of regional organic food with the shortest possible transport routes. With the organic company Gartenbau Auer, a suitable cooperation partner has been found in Simmering who will store the entire sales volume and deliver it weekly to the 30 regional kitchens of the pensioners’ houses. This change in the distribution policy results in a reduction in emissions of around 40 tonnes of CO2 per year – and the organic potatoes are even fresher on the table!

“The Viennese farmers are doing a great job, producing first-class products and making a significant contribution to climate protection in Vienna through short transport distances. As a city, we support local production and I am delighted that we have succeeded in working even more closely together within the City of Vienna’s departments and in being able to deliver even faster and fresher with the new logistics,” says Mayor Michael Ludwig. Environment City Councillor Ulli Sima: “Viennese agriculture produces close to nature and also does without genetic engineering altogether. In Vienna we have been implementing active climate protection measures in all areas since 2000 and domestic agriculture is also making a significant contribution.

Potato shows: Excursion destination for pensioners

On excursions to the city’s own Bio-Zentrum Lobau and to Gartenbau Auer in Simmering, the residents of the retired houses can see for themselves the high quality of their food. Special company tours are offered for the employees of the purchasing department as well as for the chefs and apprentices, thus strengthening contact. With this new cooperation, the regional Viennese economy will be strengthened and consumers will enjoy fresh organic vegetables from their city.

Potato shows: Excursion destination for pensioners

On excursions to the city’s own Bio-Zentrum Lobau and to Gartenbau Auer in Simmering, the residents of the retired houses can see for themselves the high quality of their food. Special company tours are offered for the employees of the purchasing department as well as for the chefs and apprentices, thus strengthening contact. With this new cooperation, the regional Viennese economy will be strengthened and consumers will enjoy fresh organic vegetables from their city.

With around 1,900 hectares of organic land, the city of Vienna is one of the largest organic farms in Austria. With over 40 years of experience in organic farming, the city is also an organic pioneer. Various types of grain are cultivated, ranging from wheat, rye, barley and spelt to oats, corn and of course potatoes. The MA 48 supplies the organic compost, which is produced from macrophytes and other organic waste. The compost fertilization improves the water balance, the aeration and the rootability of the soil. Organic fertilizer is therefore one of the basic principles in organic farming, because it is not the plants that are fertilized, but the soil. The city thus also complies with the strict guidelines of “Bio Austria”, to which it has subjected itself in the cultivation of organic vegetables.

Old varieties in violet, pink and blue

Many old varieties have disappeared from the fields due to the industrialisation of agriculture. The City of Vienna takes its responsibility for the protection of biodiversity seriously and also cultivates rare potato varieties such as Violetta, Pinki and Salad Blue.

70,000 tons of vegetables from Vienna

In total, about 40 different kinds of vegetables are cultivated by the agricultural enterprises in the city and more than 70,000 tons are harvested annually. Paradeisers, cucumbers, salads and peppers are the most popular fresh vegetables in Vienna.