Accredited organic foods from plant and/or animal sources are governed by strict, regularly audited criteria, which are designed to protect both nature and people. These include, for example, refraining from making use of chemical pesticides and the opportunities for applying genetic engineering.
In 1996, Karstadt began to build up a range of organic products in the food department with 175 dry and fresh items. Since then, regular tasting and advice events have taken place in stores, in order to promote these high-end, natural "Foods".
The events have had an impact: In 1997 there were 300 organic products. Karstadt Feinkost GmbH stores now sell around 800 different organic items. Depending on the site, various stores with a separate Organic Shop stock between 2000 and 3500 items. The organic product range includes pasta, sausages and meat, dairy products, spreads and snacks as well as high-class wines and fair trade products. This extensive product range makes Karstadt one of the largest suppliers in Germany.
Organic Action Weeks in 2008 were scheduled from 16th to 28th June. On the 20th and 21st of June 2006, customers were also offered additional advice and tastings in Perfetto/Delicatessen departments, as in previous years.
A launch event/press conference was held on 16th June 2008 at Karstadt Düsseldorf, attended by the North Rhine-Westphalia Minister for the Environment, Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Eckhard Uhlenberg and relevant members of the median. Other interesting events were organised alongside this launch.
Continuation of this campaign into 2009 is already scheduled.
11 reasons for choosing organic food
Anyone opting for organic food benefits from a level of quality you can taste. Extra added value: The secure knowledge that these products have been produced by an agricultural system, which is especially sustainable:
- grown without artificial chemical pesticides
- species-appropriate animal husbandry
- protection of the soil, water and air
- helps to preserve biodiversity
- reduces energy consumption and preserves raw material stocks
- does not use mineral nitrogen fertilisers
- cares for diverse life forms in the soil
- strives for life-cycle management with a nutrient cycle that is as closed as possible
- guarantees safety thanks to guidelines and checks
- provides transparency when producing and manufacturing foodstuffs
- refrains from taking the opportunity to make use of genetic engineering
On 01.03.2005, the Karstadt "Organic Action Weeks" project was accredited by the German branch of UNESCO as an official project within the framework of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development for 2005/2006. This accreditation was reconfirmed on 29.11.2006 for the years 2007 and 2008.
The project is targeted in terms of sustainability: Transferring good practice in the main, improving public awareness, reinforcing cooperation. Previous successes may send out a signal to other food retailers to opt for the inclusion of organically farmed products in their ranges.
Experience organic!
In 2007 and 2008, Karstadt launched an innovative project, which is sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection within the framework of the Federal Programme for Organic Farming. In both years, 15 Karstadt stores with Perfetto/Delicatessen departments organised demonstration cooking events with the motto "Experience organics!"
Alongside the chef, pupils prepare a menu using organically produced ingredients. At the same time, the chef provides relevant information on the benefits of organic food. In the run-up, the students are prepared with instruction on the campaign.
We are of the opinion that it is not possible for children and young people to actually be introduced to this topic early enough.
All other consumers are naturally included in this.
On 19.09.2008, this project was also accredited in the Old Town Hall in Bonn by the German branch of UNESCO as an official project within the framework of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development for 2008/2009.
A two-year "Experience organics!" add-on project is currently being implemented with an additional evening event for parents and teachers.
Date 2010
Branch Dortmund 09.03.10
Branch Köln 18.03.10
Branch Gießen 23.03.10
Branch Leipzig 22.04.10
Branch Karlsruhe 29.04.10
Branch Dresden 15.06.10
Branch Wiesbaden 22.06.10
Branch München-Schwabing 14.07.10
Branch Rosenheim 15.07.10
Branch Hamburg-Harburg 07.09.10
Branch Hamburg-Wandsbek 08.09.10
Branch Braunschweig 30.09.10
History
Closing ceremony for "Experience Organics!" 2008 on 17.10. in Augsburg attended by personalities from politics and public life.
2008 launch on 11.04. in the Karstadt Darmstadt store.
2008: Launch event in the Düsseldorf store attended by Eckard Uhlenberg, Minister for the Environment, Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection.
30.11.2007: Closing ceremony for 2007 in the Perfetto/Delicatessen Department of the Karstadt store in Bremen.
Guest: Dr. Reinhard Loske, Bremen Senator for the Environment, Construction, Transport and Europe
2007: Opening of the national Organic Weeks in the Dortmund store by Mrs. Bärbel Höhn, member of the Federal Nutrition Commission.
2006: Mrs. Renate Künast once again attended the launch event in the Wertheim Berlin-Steglitz store. Honoured with a letter of commendation from the "Interest group FOR healthy food".
2005: Action Weeks extended to 2 weeks. Launch event in the Bielefeld store with coverage on various television programmes.
2004: Organic Weeks in all food departments. Launch event attended by the Bremen Senator for Construction, the Environment and Transport, Jens Eckhoff, in the Bremen store. The launch in the Dortmund store in North Rhine-Westphalia was attended by the North Rhine-Westphalia Minister for the Environment, Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Bärbel Höhn.
2003: Organic Action Weeks in all food departments. Launch event and press conference attended by Renate Künast, The Federal Minister for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture, in the Berlin-Hermannplatz store.
2002: Action days in various federal states (combined with national campaigns in all food departments)
2001: Organic Farming Action Days in Northern and Western federal states (combined with the national "Ecological Autumn Festival")
2000: Organic Farming Action Days in North Rhine-Westphalia
1999: Organic Farming Action Days in Hamburg/Lower Saxony and Organic Farming Action Days in North Rhine-Westphalia
1998: National Ecological Autumn Festival with the BUND e.V.
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