New farm shop in Bolz: Regional products directly from the producer!

New farm shop in Bolz: Regional products directly from the producer!

In the tranquil community of Mustin, not far from Cologne, a new container with the resounding name “Hofkiste” has opened its doors. Run by Jennifer Löbel-Lewke and her husband, this special farm shop offers regional products around the clock that support local agriculture and create transparency about the origin of the food. This initiative is part of a larger trend towards regional marketing channels, as described by BZfE.

The range of “De Buernhoffladen” makes every gourmet’s heart beat faster. From juicy beef and lamb to delicious cheese to regional spices and ice cream - you'll find everything the local offering has to offer here. Even the cattle grazing next to the container are a sign of the traceability of the products and ensure a good feeling when shopping. The family-owned Bolzer Agrarprodukte, which was taken over from the parents' house, is all about direct marketing of their own products, supported by regional partners such as Koepon, who supply cow's milk cheese and ice cream, and the Seenland sheep farm, which contributes lambs.

Open 24/7 and customer friendly

Another feature of the farm shop is the continuous opening, which allows customers to purchase fresh products at any time. In times when flexibility is required, this certainly suits people. There are also digital solutions: the prices per kilo are clearly stated on the packaging, while individual prices can be accessed via a touch display. The shopping experience is rounded off with modern payment methods, including cash, debit card, credit card and Apple Pay. In case of questions or problems, Jennifer Löbel-Lewke is available to assist customers directly.

A look into the future shows that the farm shop does not want to stand still. Expansions to the range are planned, including oil from our own rapeseed and potatoes from Gut Stieten. Winter products are also planned to be offered after the next slaughter in October. This keeps the offering fresh and exciting.

The role of nutrition councils

This project is part of a larger movement, which is also being promoted by nutrition councils in many cities in Germany. These are made up of various actors from civil society, business, education and politics and pursue the goal of making the local food system more sustainable. It turns out that in many communities there is an urge to develop nutritional strategies and local products are very popular.

Together with initiatives such as Regionalwert-AGs, which invest in regional companies and thus secure added value in the region, it is clear that local food markets are continually developing. Here it is important to look not only at the economic profit for shareholders, but also at the social-ecological contributions that such projects can make.

The “Hofkiste” in Mustin is not only a new destination for lovers of regional products, but also part of the bigger picture that aims to make our food culture and the local economy sustainable. A real benefit for the region and a great example of civic engagement.