Shopping regionally – directly from the farm, farmers' market and farm shop
Cheese from the farm, bread from the market, eggs from the self-service shop or barbecue meat from a producer nearby: shopping regionally is part of the holiday experience. You get to know people and products – and a larger share of the money stays in the region.
What shopping regionally on holiday means
You can shop directly at the farm, but just as well at the farmers' market, in a farm shop, in the village shop or at a regional butcher, cheesemaker or baker. What matters is the closeness to the region and the personal connection to the product.
What your shopping directly achieves
Shopping regionally combines enjoyment with a very concrete form of regional value creation: you see who makes the product, can ask questions about origin and use directly – and a Jause (snack) tastes different when you know which farm it comes from.
And for the journey home: a jar of honey, a piece of cheese or a sausage is a more meaningful souvenir than a random object from the souvenir shop.
Why does it often taste better?
Freshness is important – but taste has several reasons. Short distances mean fruit and vegetables can be harvested riper, bread reaches the table fresher, and cheese or sausage is often made in smaller quantities.
Add to that feeding, variety, maturing time, recipe, craftsmanship and storage. Directly from the farm doesn’t automatically mean “always better” – but you can usually understand better why it tastes the way it does.
Good taste doesn’t begin with the label “regional”. It begins with the raw material, the processing and the time a product is given.
The money doesn't disappear somewhere in the supply chain
Direct marketing is an important part of income for many Austrian farms and creates additional work on the farm. Not only producers benefit: bakers, butchers, markets and inns in the area are also part of this short chain.
Producers keep knowledge, taste and landscape alive
Shopping regionally doesn't support some abstract system, but concrete farms, bakers, butchers, cheesemakers, beekeepers and gardeners.
Gutes vom Bauernhof – certification mark for farm direct marketing
Farmers' markets and farm shops where shopping is worthwhile
Even if the accommodation doesn't sell its own products, you can stock up on bread, cheese, Speck, meat, vegetables and eggs in the region. A market visit is stocking up, a small outing and an encounter with the region all in one.
Daniel's tip: ask your host first. Hosts often know which farm shop is currently open, where to get fresh bread and who best to pre-order barbecue meat from.
Market days and opening hours can change – please check briefly with the market or producer before shopping.
Barbecuing regionally – all year round
Barbecuing is as much part of the hut as the big table is part of the parlour (Stube). In summer outside until late in the evening, in autumn with mushrooms and pumpkin, in winter after sledding and in spring with the first fresh herbs.
Done regionally, it becomes more than a meal: barbecue meat, sausages, cheese, bread, vegetables, potatoes, eggs and sauces come from producers in the area. If you order in time, you get a whole barbecue package matched to the number of people.
Daniel's barbecue tip: Pre-order meat and sausages, ask about the right quantity and bring a cool bag. That way everything is prepared – and in the evening only the barbecue needs to get hot.
Daniel's recommendations for guests
Daniel Sprenger is a farmer, alpine pasture manager and direct marketer from the Roanerhof in Tyrol. He knows regional selling from his own farm, from the alpine pasture and from markets – from dairy products, cheese, butter, Graukäse and Topfen (curd cheese) to meat packages, sausages and barbecue meat.
His experience: guests appreciate good products – and just as much an honest recommendation of what is particularly good right now.
Shopping becomes part of the holiday day
A farm shop or farmers' market is not a necessary stopover. It can be a small holiday experience in itself.
Related topics: Farm holidays · Sommerfrische 2.0 · Sustainable holidays · Tiroler Hütte with farm shop 100 m away
Shopping regionally – answered briefly and clearly
Products directly from the farm count just as much as farmers' markets, farm shops, village shops, regional shelves and small producers around the accommodation.
Short distances, smaller quantities, maturing time, own recipes and artisanal processing give many products a clear character. Add to that knowing who made them.
The price includes raw material, labour, processing, hygiene, refrigeration and sales. In return, without a long middle trade, a larger share of the proceeds stays with the producers.
Many regions have weekly farmers' markets, self-service shops, farm shops and regional producers. The accommodation page and the magazine list suitable options in the area.
With many direct marketers, yes. Barbecue packages, sausages, meat, grilling cheese or bread should be ordered in time, especially for weekends and public holidays.
No. With a suitable barbecue spot and the accommodation's rules, barbecuing in spring, autumn and winter is just as much an experience – with regional meat, vegetables, cheese and bread.
Your holiday is allowed to taste of the region.
In the hut finder you'll find accommodations where farm products or regional foods are available.
On this, from the holiday know-how section: Why direct selling is not just a nice extra for many farms, but what makes the numbers add up in the first place: Direct marketing – why it is vital for farms.