Local, homemade, organic: do you know what you are really buying?

When you hear the word homemade, ask about the producer and where the product was made. This gives you a concrete answer that helps you understand its connection with the surrounding area.

For fresh fruit or vegetables, you want to know where they were grown. For jam, oil or another processed product, you can also ask about the origin of the ingredients and where processing took place.

The word local alone does not tell the whole story. A farm’s name and location are much more tangible.

The organic designation is linked to certification and compliance with prescribed conditions. The European Commission states that the organic logo may be used for appropriately certified products with at least 95% organic ingredients, provided the conditions for the remaining ingredients are also met.

Local and organic are therefore not synonyms. A product from nearby is not automatically organic, and an organic product may come from far away.

For prepacked products, also check the control body identification and information about the origin of agricultural raw materials.

Maribor’s main market is at Vodnikov trg 7. It offers fruit, vegetables, seeds, herbs and other products, with a meat and dairy pavilion alongside it.

For visitors, the opportunity to talk is particularly interesting. Ask what is currently in season, where the products come from and how the seller would use them.

Do not assume that every product at the market has the same origin or production method. Check the particular item you are interested in.

Naše najboljše (Our Finest) is a regional brand covering various categories of certified offerings, including agricultural produce and food products.

The label can help guide you, while talking to the producer adds detail. The best choice is one where you know what you are buying, where it comes from and how you will use it.