A delegation from the Minett UNESCO Biosphere recently visited the Nordstad for a day of exchange focused on promoting local products and short food supply chains. These biennial meetings, supported by the Ministry of Spatial Planning, are essential for strengthening ties between regions and building a sustainable national food model.

The Strategic Importance of Interregional Exchanges

Collaboration between the southern and northern territories of Luxembourg is a pillar for harmonious national development. These visits allow for:

• Understanding the specific local dynamics of each region.
• Sharing best practices and innovations in the food sector.
• Developing coherent and concerted public policies.

© Lisa Friederes / Syndicat Nordstad

By fostering cooperation between producers, processors, and distributors, these initiatives help build a model based on local resources, food resilience, and reducing the carbon footprint.

A Day of Discoveries and Concrete Initiatives

The visit highlighted several exemplary projects that illustrate the ecological transition in action. The day’s program was structured around several key stages.

Morning: Fighting Waste and Promoting Local Products

The morning was dedicated to discovering two remarkable local initiatives. The first, presented in Marnach by Julia Gregor, is the “OnPerfekt” project. This inspiring approach tackles food waste by giving a second life to fruits and vegetables deemed “imperfect” for traditional sale, yet which are perfectly edible. It is a true plea for a fairer and less wasteful food chain.

Continuing with this philosophy, the group then visited the “Liewensmëttelpunkt Buttek” in Warken. This neighborhood grocery store illustrates an impressive community success: opened just a week ago, on October 10, 2025, it has already convinced 450 residents to sign up. By offering more than 300 products from local agriculture, it anchors short supply chains and seasonal consumption in the very heart of a residential neighborhood, demonstrating the strong demand for more sustainable and locally connected food.

Lunch, served at the Hôtel-Restaurant Dahm in Erpeldange, allowed participants to taste dishes prepared with local products, enhancing the conviviality of the discussions.

Afternoon: Highlighting Artisanal Know-How

The day continued in Eppeldorf with a visit to Eppelpress, a family business that produces apple juice. The company enhances the value of local orchards by transforming harvests into artisanal juice, a concrete example of the circular economy. The presence of Mrs. Martine Hansen, Minister of Agriculture, during this visit underscored the strategic importance of these initiatives for Luxembourg’s food sovereignty.

Towards a Sustainable and Cooperative Future

More than just visits, these meetings demonstrate a common will to build a resilient future. They show that interregional cooperation and the promotion of local know-how are not just concepts, but powerful levers for the country’s ecological transition.