Organic Denmark paves the way for 100% organic

The Danish framework for the promotion of organic agriculture is extraordinary. All nine parties represented in the Danish parliament have agreed on them - an astonishing consensus that was made possible not least by the work of Paul Holmbeck, the former managing director of Organic Denmark. By involving not only all political parties in the process, but also trade unions, consumer and climate protection organisations, farmers' associations, and animal welfare groups, Organic Denmark has succeeded in creating a political organic system in which organic is promoted preferentially.

One of the main strategies to further expand the fast-growing organic segment is to focus on public procurement. The national target in Denmark of 60% organic food in all public canteens, the funding of training for kitchen assistants and the mobilisation of farmers and food producers has generated a transformative energy. Everywhere – in kindergartens, schools, public administrations, hospitals and military institutions – organic food is used for cooking. In the Danish capital of Copenhagen, around 80,000 meals are served daily, nearly 90 % of which consist of organic ingredients.