Sustainability in focus: food production and its origins
Find out at the Weistrach Sustainability Forum how transparent food production works and what challenges exist.

Sustainability in focus: food production and its origins
The second sustainability forum took place in Weistrach on October 12th, which was organized by the municipality in collaboration with the Amstetten climate and energy model region. The event attracted numerous interested parties who wanted to learn more about the background of food production. A special guest was Bianca Blasl, a well-known agricultural journalist and co-founder of the podcast “Bauer to the People”. She specializes in bridging the gap between agriculture and society, as these two areas often drift apart.
In her presentation, Blasl emphasized the importance of communication between producers and consumers. Their motto “By talking, people come together” illustrates how important exchange is in clearing up misunderstandings. In her keynote speech, she discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with transparent and sustainable food production. She was particularly critical of the phenomenon of “green washing,” in which companies try to portray themselves as more environmentally friendly than they actually are. She highlighted the importance of consumers receiving clear and reliable information about the origins of their food in order to make informed decisions.
Discussion about animal welfare and consumer behavior
After the lecture, a lively discussion developed among the participants. The focus was on topics such as animal welfare, the keeping of straw pigs and society's consumer behavior. Those present shared their views on the discount war in food retail, which often comes at the expense of farmers and the environment. These conversations highlighted the importance of consumers being conscious about their purchasing decisions and considering the impact on agriculture and the environment.
For further information on this topic, anyone interested can contact Katharina Walcher from the GDA. She can be reached at 07475/533 40 216 or by email at klima@gda.gv.at reachable.