Erstellt am: 21. 6. 2012 - 10:17 Uhr
Today's Webtip: Foodcoop.at
When I first came to Austria, there weren't really any supermarkets. There were some larger chain stores, but most of them bared little or no resemblance to the monstrosities I knew from the States, or from the current collection of stores in Austria. They were small, had a limited selection, poor produce, and no real baked goods.
There were, however, smaller shops that provided quality and specialized selection. They were usually more expensive and anything other than convenient.
The markets on the other hand...
They were (and still are) a treat. The only thing I really missed from back home were food co-ops. They were a primary resource for vegetarians and vegans, provided access to quality whole foods and served as an excellent community center. It was also an easy way to feel like you were doing something positive to help fight the industrial food complex.
In the mean time I have watched the number and size of Austrian supermarkets grow. Since Austrian demand for organically produced and gen-technic free goods has been higher than than in the states, the general quality is much better than the stores my parents have access to, but there are still several problems that large chains haven't been able to address.
For people who are concerned with issues of ecological and financial sustainability, there are few options. One of them is joining (or creating) a food co-op.
You can find out more about local food co-ops at foodcoops.at . There are only a handful listed right now, but maybe you can do something about that.