Case Study Ia: consumer-producer cooperation & collective consumer initiatives

BERSTA
In June 1980 BERSTA was founded as a cooperative of 17 organic farmers in the Waldviertel region in Lower Austria and a group of consumers in Vienna. The cooperative aimed at supporting organic farmers and at creating a network which allowed fair prices for their products. Another aim was to promote critical consumption and solidarity among farmers and consumers via information events and publications. The coop owned up to three shops in Vienna, selling the products mainly to the coop’s consumer members but also to consumers not part of the coop. The fast expansion, investments in stores and transportation costs caused financial problems. In 1997 the coop was dissolved and the BERSTA non-profit association was founded. The business activities (purchase, delivery and selling) was then simultaneously transferred to Sieger&Zottl OHG (BERSTA wholesale trading company of organic products).

EVI
In 1980 the producer-consumer initiative EVI was founded as ‘non-profit association aiming at promoting disadvantaged regions and selling products at affordable prices to urban consumers. Prior to the association’s foundation a group of about ten consumers in St.Pölten got together, wanting to make healthy organic and fair traded products available for a larger group of consumers. Another aim of the association was to spread information about the conditions of production and to raise consumers’ awareness in that respect. EVI published a newsletter, participated in discussions and public events and organised visits to farms. The association’s executive board was, like BERSTA’s, formed by consumers and producers. The first shop to sell the farmers’ products was opened in St.Pölten and privately funded. A lot of work throughout the first year was done on a voluntary basis. BERSTA delivered products to the EVI shops right from the beginning and EVI had several ‘own’ farms. In the 1980s two new stores were opened and the main focus was gradually laid on the business part of EVI and other activities were reduced. Financial problems at the beginning of the 1990s led to the re-organisation of structures (purchase order, staff). In 2003 the association was dissolute and the two shops EVI St.Pölten and EVI Krems were separated from each other and are today run by different owners.

Case Study 1b: A collective consumers initiative in Vienna
The Initiative was founded in 2007 as non-profit association to collectively buy organic food directly from producers and thereby make organic food available for the association’s members in Vienna at an affordable price. They describe themselves as ‘food-coop’ referring to German examples. At the moment the initiative has around 40 members. Based on the principle of self-governance all members take part in the required work. Several working groups are formed responsible for purchase, store duty, finances and administration. No working plans are set up, every member should freely choose the time she or he is willing to contribute to the association. Likewise, decisions concerning work for the association are reached in the plenary assembly every month based on consensus. The products sold are bought directly from 12-15 producers, mainly in Vienna and Lower Austria, and from one wholesale trading company for organic food. Products are sold to members at the purchase price. The association aims at shortening food supply chains, supporting regional production an organic farming.