Week of the Short Chain starts in Jabbeke

The fifth edition of the Week of the Short Chain is officially opened at the Baliehof cheese and dairy farm. This initiative is intended to make the various forms of short chain in Flanders more known and to increase buying directly from the producer. Producers are organizing open days, tastings and even concerts on the farm next week.

Broad understanding

“Short chain is about much more than just farm shops”, it sounds. “It also includes farmers’ markets, pick-your-own gardens, farm vending machines, pick-up points, vegetable subscriptions, online stores, food teams, neighboring farms, CSA farms and cooperatives. But not all of them are equally well-known.”

Make more profitable

Minister Crevits wants to increase the number of farmers who derive part of their turnover from the short chain from one in seven to one in five. It also wants to increase the profitability of short-chain companies through training and advice. “Both the Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries and Food Research (ILVO), the Short Chain Support Center and the Agriculture and Fisheries Department have already started collecting data to perform an analysis of costs, yields and other financial indicators.” said Crevits. In addition, she also wants to raise consumer awareness. “Because more short chains should be on the table.”