Shopping more sustainably may sound complicated, but it's easier than you think. A handy tip: pay attention to the EKO label. You have probably seen it before: the black logo with stars. This quality mark can be found on all kinds of products such as vegetables, fruit, dairy products and bread. The beauty? The EKO Quality mark not only means that the product is organic, but also that it comes from the Netherlands. So you choose a responsible product and save on transport kilometres. Win-win!
The EKO label
In cooperation with EKO
The EKO label stands for more than just organic products. The label guarantees that these products meet strict requirements on environmental protection, biodiversity and animal welfare. Top! Consider, for example, farming methods that keep the soil healthy and promote biodiversity through crop rotation and the use of renewable energy. Moreover, EKO farmers are inspected annually to ensure the high standard. This means that every product with the EKO label is not only better for you, but also for the environment and animals.
Visiting The Experience in Zeewolde, an organic farm working according to EKO standards. You can visit this farm to learn more about and taste products produced organically in the Netherlands.
How many stars do you see?
With the EKO label, the stars are a handy signpost to see how many of the ingredients come from the Netherlands. The more stars, the higher the proportion of Dutch ingredients:
- 1 star means that at least 30% to 50% of the ingredients are of Dutch origin.
- 2 stars represents 50% to 90% Dutch ingredients.
- 3 stars indicates that 90% or more of the ingredients come from the Netherlands.
So this label is an additional guarantee that you are not only buying organic, but also local. This differs from the green leaf with the white stars (the European organic label), which only says something about organic cultivation, without paying attention to the origin of the ingredients. Do you see both labels on a product? Then you are in the right place: organic and local!
You come across the EKO label on a variety of products. On vegetables, fruit, bread and there are even restaurants and good ready-to-eat products, such as soups from the Smallest Soup Factory, which carry the seal of approval.
Choose EKO label more often
By choosing products with more Dutch ingredients in the supermarket, you reduce the distance your food has to travel before it reaches your plate. This means less transport, fewer emissions and more transparency. This way, you know exactly where your food comes from and support Dutch farmers at the same time. So eating local not only helps the planet, but also strengthens the local economy. And then the EKO Quality mark is a convenient and reliable tool. You find products with the EKO Quality mark mainly at the better and organic supermarkets. Spot them!
More shopping tips from thegreenlist.nl
- Also see: butts and stumps, you can regrow these vegetables!
- Also see: the best fridge layout to keep your food fresh!
- Also see: Cooking with leftovers, this is what you make with them!
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
