Supporting women's empowerment in the Short Food Supply Chain

To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, COREnet wishes to give visibility to the crucial role of women in rural communities and in local food systems

Today we share a story of empowerment, entrepreneurship, and resilience: the women farmers of Lafnitztaler Bauernspezialitäten, an association in southern Burgenland (Austria) that has transformed traditional farm products into a successful and sustainable catering business. Their work demonstrates how women can lead innovation in the short food supply chain while preserving quality, culture, and local identity.

When women farmers inspire through good food

Lafnitztaler Bauernspezialitäten in southern Burgenland brings together 15 active farmers cultivating several hundred hectares of land with pigs, cattle, sheep, and poultry. Products from the farms are used for buffets and catering services.

Christa Erdely is the managing director of the commercial association. The initiative serves its farmers' buffet around 200 times a year at conferences and congresses in Vienna, as well as at company parties and family celebrations, catering for around 17.000 to 20.000 guests annually. All dishes are freshly prepared in the company kitchen in the small district of Oberwart in southeastern Austria.

A success story that started in a small farm shop

The story of the Lafnitztal farmers' wives began in 1998 with a small farm shop where founder Irene Koch sold milk and dairy products. The turning point came when Helmut Pechlaner, then director of the Vienna Schönbrunn Zoo and a resident of the district, asked for local food to be served at an event at the zoo. The request became the spark that inspired the farmers' wives to create a catering business—an idea that soon grew beyond expectations.

Old recipes, new creativity—with husbands as test eaters

Creativity and hard work led to the development of the entire menu. The farmers created all the dishes themselves, based on traditional recipes. Early on, portion sizes were still uncertain, so their husbands were invited to test the meals, with plates weighed before and after each tasting. Today, for a Lafnitztal delicacy buffet, they calculate around 250 grams per person—though consumption varies between city guests and those in rural areas.

Careful use of food remains a core value: 90 percent of the ingredients come from association members. The buffet, featuring pork and beef, vegetables, bread, savory pastries, desserts and more, continues to impress national and international guests.

"We know the value of food and therefore don't want to throw anything away", says Erdely. "When the farmers' wives prepare a buffet for 300 people, everyone is full and there is only a small bucket of leftovers".

A changing role for rural women

The lives of rural women have evolved significantly in recent decades. Full-time farms transitioned into part-time farms, with men commuting to the city while women stayed on the farm. "Today, the women drive to the city, and the men run the farms", notes Christa.

The association now counts on many loyal customers who often request recipes and express enthusiastic feedback. The British participants at a real estate fair summarised their appreciation on a feedback form with just three words: "More of this!".

More information on the association is available at: www.lafnitztaler.com

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