Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in Chemnitz

Sandra & Ralf Renner

The Schönherrfabrik is a hive of colourful activity. In fine weather, the courtyard behind the max louis restaurant is transformed into a small marketplace. Farmers from the region are setting up their stalls, carrying eggs, cheese, honey and lots of vegetables across the courtyard and preparing for what is now the sixth Food Assembly in Chemnitz. At a food assembly, several traders offer their products online. Customers can order their goods directly online. Every Thursday from 5 p.m., the goods are then brought to the Schönherrfabrik and buyers can collect the products they have ordered in advance. This form of shopping is so far unique in Saxony. Sandra and Ralf Renner started the Food Assembly in Chemnitz. While Sandra Renner looks after the customers and retailers, we had time to chat to Ralf Renner about the Food Assembly idea and Chemnitz.

How important are seasonal and regional products to you?
Ralf Renner: That's very important to both of us and that's why we do the whole thing. We saw a documentary about Food Assembly on TV and realised that this is exactly how we would like to shop: Namely seasonal and regional and still in one place.

Food Assembly has been around in Germany for a year now and originally comes from France. How did you become aware of Food Assembly?
There was a themed evening on the television channel arte. Food assembly was presented there. In Paris, for example, there is a large market hall with many regional farmers. That impressed us. Then I searched for a long time on the internet. I don't speak any French at all, I come from the Russian generation, so to speak. At some point I found out that Food Assembly had also been launched in Germany. I got in touch with the organisers. We spoke to each other for a long time. Food Assembly is a solidarity-based system that is not profit-orientated, but is more about solidarity effects. The values: no genetic engineering, regional, organic cultivation of products wherever possible, so we said that if that doesn't exist here, then we'll just do it ourselves.

The first German food assemblies were launched in Berlin and Cologne in June 2014. The system is simple: regional farmers can offer their products online. Registered members can click through the products and buy them. Just like in an online shop. The advantage is that you don't have to limit yourself to one retailer, but can order from any farmer. On the distribution day, which in Chemnitz is every Thursday from 5 to 7 pm, you can then pick up your purchased goods directly from the producer.

What kind of people come here?
The whole spectrum. From students to families with children to senior citizens. Many who work here at the Schönherrfabrik or live nearby. Lots of young people. There were about 500 guests at the opening on 25 June. The producers who were there also said that they thought it was great. After all, young people are a target group that they don't normally reach. This generation either doesn't notice the market or they don't have the time to shop there. The market in the city closes at 5 pm, many people have to work late and therefore can't buy fresh produce from the market.

The Assembly system is based on the fact that regional farms can take part. How many farms take part in the Food Assembly? And how difficult was it to get the companies on board for the project?
There are currently eleven farms taking part. Acquiring the farms was much more difficult than I had imagined. In my youthful recklessness, I thought: I'll call the farms, give them a direct marketing opportunity where they don't have to sell their products to a wholesaler, but can market them directly and get a significantly higher yield, and then the farms will think it's great and join in. Unfortunately, it wasn't quite like that. Many said that they were actually already selling their products and were sceptical. It certainly took us six months until we had a range that covered the basic supply. After the opening, I can already see that many producers are now enquiring. It just needs the initial impetus and now those who were previously sceptical actually want to take part after all. We now have to make sure that we keep the balance between the number of members who order and the number of producers. It has to be worthwhile for the producers to participate.

Did the producers you spoke to know about the Food Assembly system?
No, not at all. I had to explain the system from the outset. What it is, how it works. As I said, many were sceptical at first, but wanted to try it out anyway. Most of them were really surprised by our opening event. That there were 500 people there who were interested in it. We are now in our sixth week and sales are growing every week. The farmers are also putting more and more products on sale. The farmers now value this as an important sales channel. We provide the platform and regional mediation. The farmers do everything else themselves. They put their products, pictures and texts on the website and set their prices. Of course, we also provide support if required.

During our conversation, the small market slowly fills up. Customers come in with baskets and are happy to pick up their orders. Those who are there for the first time are warmly welcomed by Sandra Renner. She is constantly chatting to the traders and customers and is delighted to see every guest. The stands are also bustling with activity. The Food Assembly offers a great opportunity to talk to the producers and discuss growing conditions and animal husbandry. Some even have samples of their products with them.

How many visitors do you have here every week?
We currently have around 40 to 45 customers every week. It's not always the same people, but there are a lot of "repeat offenders". Over 600 people have registered with us on the Internet so far. Of course, many of them have to see how the whole thing works first. We still have a few small issues that we will be working on over the next few weeks. The payment system, for example. So far, we only have the option of instant bank transfer and credit card. We are still missing PayPal and direct debit. However, we will be adding these in the next few weeks and I believe that the number of active users will increase. These are the payment methods that we need in Germany. So we have to make sure that the French system is tailored to German needs.

Why are you organising the market in Chemnitz of all places?
Because we are from Chemnitz. We both come from Chemnitz and there was no question of doing it anywhere else. We also have social contacts here and with the Schönherrfabrik. We know a lot of people who we were able to activate at the start. Ultimately, we also want to shop like this and give something back to Chemnitz.

You started the first food assembly in Saxony here. Now Annaberg-Buchholz and Leipzig are coming soon. Are you networked?
We have already been in contact with Annaberg-Buchholz several times. Better networking is definitely something we want to work on. It works very well in Berlin. There are 14 or 15 food assemblies there and we will also have to network better here in Saxony. Exchange ideas on how we can benefit from each other, etc.

You are both from Chemnitz, what makes the city interesting for you?
I think the city has become very beautiful in the last 15 years. We have a very beautiful and modern city centre. I think that's great. The atmosphere in Chemnitz is also very pleasant. I always notice it when we have guests from the "used" federal states. They always find Chemnitz incredibly beautiful. People from Saarbrücken, where it's simply different, are totally enthusiastic about the city centre here. I think it's great that there is such a development. There are a few vegetarian or vegan bistros, for example. A lot is happening in the direction of sustainability. We also have a lot of green spaces where you can go outside, do sports or something similar. And I think Chemnitz is a very nice size. Berlin is far too big and too fragmented for my taste. Here it's central and compact.

The distribution of the ordered products in the Schönherrfabrik courtyard is also centralised and compact. The producers only have to bring as much produce as they have ordered. This means there is no intermediate trade, short transport routes and fair prices.

What are the conditions like in Chemnitz for setting up your own business?
Many people say that the people of Chemnitz are a bit stubborn and grumpy. And we also discussed beforehand whether it would work here in Chemnitz or not. But I was convinced right from the start and have also seen that it has been really well received across all generations. So I think the conditions are good and you can be successful with your ideas in Chemnitz.

Do you have to encourage the people of Chemnitz?
I think so, namely to stand by their city more. I think there are some people who think that Chemnitz is a small, unimpressive and grey town. But that's not true at all. Chemnitz is a very beautiful city. We can present it and show it off. We have many beautiful things here. So, Chemnitz residents should stand by their city more and enjoy its advantages.

What do you think are the advantages?
On the one hand, the new, beautiful, modern city centre. On the other hand, all the green spaces, such as the city park, the Küchwald or the Crimmitschau forest. Where you can go for a run or something. We have great cultural facilities. The Kaßberg is beautiful. These are the things I like to show people.

You can register for the Food Assembly at www.foodassembly.de.