Eco-September is over for this year and we can sum up a month full of ooze. Above all, it has been about farmer-run activities in grocery stores. These have taken place in collaboration with Ekologiska Lantbrukarna as well as the county administrations in Gävleborg, Dalarna, Värmland, Halland, Kronoberg, Blekinge and Skåne. Together, at least 70 activities have been organized under the Eco-September flag - fantastic!
To encourage shops and food companies, we have also appointed a number of Eco-September winners. These are:
Best Eco-September store in the whole country: ICA Maxi Falun
According to Organic Swedens project manager Anders Heimer gets the store the award for:
ICA Maxi Falun arranged a large autumn market in connection with this year's Eco-September. Several farmers and food companies were invited to highlight their products on the market. The store also had a campaign on selected organic products and worked with Eko-September in social media to spread knowledge about organic food from Dalarna,
Best Eco-September store in Värmland: Coop Sunne
According to Organic Swedens project manager Anders Heimer receives the Coop Sunne award for:
Coop Sunne arranged two days with "Ekobonde i butik" when Coop Värmland also featured with her own "Chef-Mia", who prepared treats on dairy products, vegetables, fruits and berries. Mia gave tips on how to shop sustainably by choosing organic products that are advantageously also regionally produced. Store manager Has-Olov Mårtensson also cares about Värmland's organic production and ensures that there are organic goods from the local area in the store.
Best Eco-September store in Dalarna: ICA Supermarket Seats
According to Organic Swedens project manager Anders Heimer gets the store the award for:
ICA Supermarket Säter worked exemplary with Eco-September. All employees referred the customers to the demo tables where we held "Ekobonde in store" and were positive and happy to collaborate on Eco-September. They have also posted on their social channels to promote the campaign.
Best Eko-September store in southern Sweden (Skåne, Blekinge, Kronoberg and Halland): ICA Quantum Eslöv
According to Organic Swedens project manager Pernilla Björverud, the store receives the award for:
ICA Kvantum Eslöv kick-started Eco-September with "Eco farmer in store" when our eco farmer was welcomed by happy employees, a well-stocked and well-placed demo table and a pallet of Swedish organic apples on sale. The store then continued for the rest of the month with the marketing of eco in its social media and its own initiatives to promote eco. It was clear from day one that ICA Kvantum Eslöv decided to make something really good out of Eco-September.
In addition to stores, also have King Markatta and Dava/Country eggs appointed as this year's Eco-September company.
The companies receive the award for being extra involved and offering organic pancakes in stores around southern Sweden.
Through pancake demos, Eco-September has reached many consumers through personal contact in stores.
- We strongly believe in direct communication with consumers. It becomes especially clear why it is important to choose organic when you can make the connection that eco contributes to more biological diversity, cleaner groundwater, more fertile soil and better animal welfare where you live and live your life, says Charlotte Bladh André, CEO of Organic Sweden.
We are already looking forward to 2025 Eco-September, and until then we will continue to buy organic every day!