October
Seasonal fruit and vegetables

In autumn we harvest
what was sown in spring.

The seasonal vegetables and fruits in October offer a wealth of culinary options in central Europe, that perfectly match the autumn season. The variety of fresh produce available during this time allows cooks and gourmets to prepare creative dishes and appreciate the diversity of local nature.

When it comes to fruit, apples are undoubtedly the stars of October. With a wide range of varieties, including the sweet Gala apples, the tart Boskoop apples and the crunchy Jonagolds, everyone will find their favourite. These apples are not only delicious as a snack, but are also great for cakes, strudels, apple sauce and other autumn treats.

Alongside root vegetables, including carrots, beetroot and celery , pumpkins are another standout ingredient in October. From small Hokkaido pumpkins to large nutmeg pumpkins, they offer a wealth of possibilities for soups, stews, pumpkin puree, and of course the popular pumpkin bread.

Fruit:

Apples: Various apple varieties, such as Boskoop, Jonagold, or Gala.

Pears: varieties such as the Williams pear or the Conference pear

Grapes: grapes for wine production and table grapes

Quinces: This fruity delicacy is available in October and is often made into jam or jelly.

Plums: Plums and damsons are good for compotes and cakes.

Elderberries: Elderberries can be used for making juice, jelly and desserts

Sweet chestnuts / Chestnuts: Sweet chestnuts are regionally available in southern German-speaking countries in October and can be roasted or boiled.

Walnuts: Walnuts are ripe in autumn and can be used as a snack or in baked goods.

Vegetables:

Pumpkins: Different pumpkin varieties, such as Hokkaido, butternut and nutmeg pumpkin, are available in abundance in October.

Carrots: Carrots are particularly sweet and juicy in autumn.

Beetroot / Turnips: These root vegetables are fresh in October and can be enjoyed raw, boiled or grilled.

Cabbages: Cabbages such as white cabbage, red cabbage and savoy cabbage are good for hearty dishes.

Celery: Celery tubers can be used in soups and stews.

Leeks: Leeks are a popular vegetable in autumn and can be used in many different dishes.

Beetroot: Beetroot is fresh in October and can be used in salads, soups and as a side dish.

Spinach: Spinach is an autumn vegetable and lends itself to salads, vegetable pans and side dishes.

Chard: Chard is another green leafy vegetable that is harvested in October and can be used in many ways in the kitchen.

Fennel: Fennel bulbs can be served raw in salads or steamed as a side dish.

In addition to the above, there are many other seasonal treasures, such as rosehips, quinces and radishes, which make October a culinary exciting time in central Europe.

Using seasonal fruit and vegetables in October not only provides fresh and tasty ingredients, but also supports local farmers and helps reduce the ecological footprints. Therefore, it is worth enjoying seasonal produce to the fullest and discovering creative dishes that capture the flavours of autumn. Visit local markets and farms to experience the freshness and quality of these foods.

Regional food:
Sustainability that pays off

90 percent of German consumers want food from local production

agrarheute.com reports on the results of a survey showing that a large majority of Germans prefer food produced in Germany. According to the survey, which was conducted by the consumer protection organization Foodwatch, nearly 90 percent of respondents want their food to come from domestic production. The survey also shows that many consumers attach particular importance to transparent information about the origin and production methods of their food. They want to know exactly where the food comes from and how it was produced.

These results point to consumers’ growing interest in regional and local products, which goes hand in hand with an increased awareness of sustainability and environmental protection. Consumers increasingly want to know how and under what conditions their food is produced, and they prefer products from their region in order to reduce transport distances and thereby the environmental impact.

Overall, the survey shows that consumers in Germany are paying increasing attention to the origin and sustainability of their food and that there is a growing preference for local products. This could lead to increased support for regional agriculture and food production.

You can read the agrarheute.com article here.

Gabriel Honey
Audit for 100% local

High standards for the Labelling of honey in the EU

In Austria, as in the entire EU, honey has high quality standards and strict guidelines regarding labelling. We are all the more pleased that Gabriel Honig applied for the 100% local audit for even greater transparency towards consumers.

Strict local quality standards for honey are of great importance, as they not only ensure the quality of the honey, but also promote the protection of bees and the environment. Bees are, after all, crucial for crop pollination, and healthy bee populations are essential for agriculture.

The marketing of Austrian honey

Traceability and labelling of honey gives consumers the certainty that they are receiving a high-quality and authentic product. This promotes consumer confidence and strengthens the beekeeper economy in Austria.

Austrian honey is not only appreciated domestically, but also highly regarded on international markets. The quality, variety and authenticity of Austrian honey make it a sought-after product.

An important factor is the label of origin “from Austria”. This label stands for quality and authenticity and is very popular with consumers in many countries. Austrian honey is often sold in specialized stores and farmers’ markets, where the link between beekeepers and customers is strengthened.

The government and various beekeepers’ associations are also actively promoting Austrian honey at international trade fairs and markets. This increases the visibility of the product and opens up new export opportunities.

More transparency with pro local

In addition to all legal requirements, Gabriel Honig now has us verify that the entire value creation of their honey takes place within Austria. Pro local also verified that the company is registered here in Austria as a taxable entity. This way, consumers can be sure that by purchasing Gabriel Honig, they not only benefit from the high regional standards, but that they also support the local economy at the same time.

You can read the pro local report of the Gabriel Honig audit here.

Regional agriculture
value creation

Regional value chains are a form of agricultural production and marketing. They are based on close cooperation between stakeholders within a given region.

In regional value chains, farmers, traders and consumers work together to produce, process and market food and agricultural products. This promotes the local economy, strengthens local communities and gives consumers access to high-quality, fresh products from their region.

Regional value chains are also an important contribution to sustainability, as they can shorten transport distances and thereby reduce the environmental impact of transportation.

They offer the opportunity to preserve regional identity and traditions and create transparency for consumers who want to know where their food comes from.

The longer the processing chain for agricultural raw materials is in a given region, the stronger the positive effects are felt. An example of this is the processing of grain in a local mill, followed by further processing by local small bakeries and marketing of the consumer products in the region. This process helps to create and maintain jobs and may even create new jobs.

In principle, regional value chains are possible for almost all types of food. Examples include the rearing of cattle or pigs of regional breeds, subsequent processing by local butchers and marketing to restaurants and food retailers in that region. Likewise, successful regional value chains have been established throughout Europe for cereals and bread as well as for milk and cheese specialties.

Regional value creation is possible not only for food, but also for renewable raw materials such as hemp. Here, various processing stages can be carried out at the local level. This shows that regional value chains have diverse potential and can help strengthen a region’s economy and create jobs.

More and more studies are looking at the positive effects of local value chains. Many people see this as our future, and at the same time, historically speaking, it is a model that has been tried and tested for centuries.

September
Seasonal fruits and vegetables

In September, there is a wide range of seasonal fruits and vegetables in Central and Eastern Europe. As late summer turns into autumn in September, many fruit become ripe at this time.

Here are some examples of fruits and vegetables that are in season in September:

Fruit:

  1. Apples: September is the main harvesting season for apples in Austria and Germany. There are many varieties of apples, including Gala, Golden Delicious, and Elstar.
  2. Pears: various pear varieties such as Williams Christ or Conference are ripe in September.
  3. Plums: late summer plum varieties are available in September.
  4. Grapes: grapes are ready for harvest in September.
  5. Raspberries and blackberries: These berries are available into autumn.

Vegetables:

  1. Zucchini: zucchini are abundant in September and can be used in various dishes.
  2. Tomatoes: Tomatoes are plentiful and available in many varieties.
  3. Pumpkin: pumpkin season begins in September and extends into autumn.
  4. Potatoes: different varieties of potatoes are ready for harvest in September.
  5. Peppers: peppers are available in September in various colours and shapes.
  6. Celery: celery is a typical autumn vegetable and can be harvested in September.
  7. Root Vegetables & Beets: From parsley root to radishes, and celery. There is a huge selection to choose from in September.
  8. Sweet corn
  9. Beans, green beans and peas.

This list is far from complete – elderberries, for example, are also ready to be harvested in September. From them you can prepare juices and jams.