Is eating locally a fad?

"Over the years, we have noticed that consumers are becoming more aware of their responsibilities as citizens", says Karima Ghozzi, spokesperson for Delhaize. According to her, this change is mainly due to social networks that keep people more informed about the impact of their food consumption on the environment. "People are more and more interested. They are getting information, getting informed, and there is a real effort to move towards a better world." According to her, the health crisis has also played an important role in the development of this new awareness.

"The country's economy suffered during the pandemic, so Luxembourgers were concerned and committed to helping local producers", she explains. "Many customers now prefer to buy products with a short production circuit to simultaneously help local farmers and reduce their carbon emissions." Indeed, according to a study conducted by Ilres, even if higher prices are the main reason that dissuades people from buying local, 67 percent of resident households say they are still willing to pay more for products from Luxembourg's regional agriculture, but only on condition that it is a quality product from sustainable agriculture.

To bio or not to bio?

The Naturata chain of shops is a good example of sustainability, as it promotes products from Luxembourgish farms, regardless of their size, and is committed to the principles of organic farming. The BIOG Group brand opened its first shop in teh Grand Duchy more than 30 years ago, and now has 12 stores in the country. Called "organic markets", the twelve shops offer a food range of more than 7,000 fully certified organic products, and promise their customers quality food. Another example of a shop adopting ecological principles was Ouni (Organic Unpackaged Natural Ingredients) cooperative, which sold organic food products without packaging in its two shops. Created in 2016, the brand was trying to respond to Luxembourgers' growing need to reduce their waste and consume in a more environmentally friendly way by opening two shops in the country, one in the Gare district, and one in Dudelange.