Alternative Food Networks (AFNs), supported by the Food4CE project, seek to transform the food supply by connecting ethical producers and consumers more directly. For this reason, we visited a virtuous example that goes precisely in this direction.
The Municipality of Hoče – Slivnica in Slovenia is committed to promoting and supporting local products, self-sufficiency, and healthy, home-grown food. To make it easier for consumers to access products from local providers, they have installed a new self-service vending machine, known as the MULTIMAT, in the center of Hoče. This innovative solution not only increases the presence of local suppliers but also offers residents a faster and more convenient way to purchase fresh, local produce.
Foto: Žan Osim
What does the MULTIMAT offer?
MULTIMAT is a treasure trove of local culinary delights, featuring products from several reputable farms in the area. Available products include:
- Fresh eggs from free-range hens from the farm Ob gozdu Erne Černe, providing the highest quality eggs daily.
- Dairy products from the Hecl farm, including yogurt, cottage cheese, fruit cottage cheese, cottage cheese spreads, fresh cheeses, and grilling cheese.
- Meat products from the Oblak farm, also known as Pr’ Korenu, offering durable and semi-durable meat products and interesting cracklings for snacking with various flavors.
- Products made from spelt and pumpkins from the Žitnik farm, including pumpkin seeds, 100% pumpkin oil, and sweet treats such as cookies made from home-grown spelt flour.
Foto: Žan Osim 
Foto: Žan Osim
Quality products from virtuous local realities: let’s discover some of the AFNs involved in MULTIMAT
MULTIMAT allows not only Hoče citizens to enjoy fresh, healthy, sustainable and local products, but also to get in touch with some virtuous AFNs in the area, thus bringing producers and consumers closer together.
These include the Fingušt Hecl Farm and the Žitnik Family Farm, which are involved in the Food4CE project.
Fingušt Hecl Farm: Tradition and Quality in the Heart of Podravje
Fingušt Hecl Farm, sprawling over 26 hectares of fertile land in the Dravsko polje region of Podravje, Slovenia, proudly houses 45 cows. Their commitment to natural, high-quality, and delicious products led them to establish their own processing plant on the farm in 2011. This step ensured complete control over the entire milk production and processing process, resulting in top-quality products.
Their range of handcrafted dairy products, made from milk sourced exclusively from their farm, now includes 43 different items. Their homemade yogurts, cheeses, and curds are characterized by traceable raw materials, providing them with a significant competitive advantage. All their yogurts are free from artificial colorings and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), reflecting their dedication to naturalness and quality.
Fingušt Hecl Farm’s products are available in their on-farm store, at Zadruga Dobrina, and in various retail systems. The quality of their products is confirmed by excellent results in numerous evaluations, such as the Delicacies of Slovenian Farms and international assessments at the Agra Agricultural Fair in Gornja Radgona.
Žitnik Family Farm: The Power of Nature and a Love for Farming
The Žitnik Family Farm, nestled in the picturesque village of Starošince in the Podravje region of Slovenia, has been dedicated to spelt cultivation since 2012. Their commitment to respecting nature means they do not use pesticides or artificial fertilizers in their production. They ensure the freshness of their flour by dehusking and milling spelt grains on demand in a mill that prevents overheating, thus preserving beneficial nutrients.
The appearance of their fields constantly changes due to crop rotation, which is crucial for plant health. Throughout all seasons, from early spring, they diligently work the land, tend to the plants, connect with them through all weather conditions, and store, process, and prepare them for customers. This meticulous process guarantees the excellence of their spelt products, such as spelt flour, spelt pasta, spelt cookies and gingerbread, pumpkin oil, and roasted pumpkin seeds.
Why Support Local Food?
Supporting local food is not just a matter of quality but also sustainability and community connectivity. By purchasing local products, you contribute to the preservation of agriculture, reduction of carbon footprint, and support of the local economy. The freshness and quality of home-grown food surpass industrially produced food, while preserving traditional methods of food production and processing.
JFOTO by Jernej
The Future is Local
The installation of the MULTIMAT in the centre of Hoče is an important step towards a more connected and sustainable community. As such, it represents a virtuous case of a local authority supporting local AFNs and their local products, as well as a more sustainable food supply model. We therefore invite you to visit the MULTIMAT in Hoče and discover the wide range of local products available, thus supporting local producers.
Together, we can create a healthier, more sustainable and connected future.
