About City Farm
City Farm connects people with local, organic and natural food sources across the Netherlands. We believe healthy choices start with knowing where your food comes from and who makes it.
Our vision
To build healthier communities by promoting fresh, natural foods over processed products and preservatives.
Our mission
To be the go-to guide for discovering local organic and natural food sources, helping people make healthier choices and support local producers.
Natural
No preservatives, no chemicals.
Local
Support farmers and makers near you.
Healthy
Food that is good for you and the planet.
Good practice suggestions
This list is a suggestion. City Farm does not check whether every store follows each point. The store owner remains responsible for their own practices and compliance.
Roughly one third of all food produced for human consumption is wasted every year — about 1.3 billion tonnes worldwide. Small changes in the shop and at home make a real difference.
- ✓We suggest merchants avoid handling money and products at the same time.
- ✓We suggest merchants avoid giving plastic bags — encourage customers to bring their own.
- ✓We suggest customers avoid using plastic bags whenever possible.
- ✓We suggest you use every product in your fridge — food waste is a serious issue.
- ✓Be more conscious in your consumption.
- ✓Keep raw and ready-to-eat foods strictly separated.
- ✓Wash hands and surfaces often, especially after handling raw items.
- ✓Label allergens clearly and double-check ingredient lists.
- ✓Store fresh products at safe temperatures.
- ✓Sell or donate surplus food before it spoils.
- ✓Choose reusable, compostable or recyclable packaging.
- ✓Source ingredients as locally and seasonally as possible.
- ✓Respect animal welfare if you sell animal products.
- ✓Tell customers the real origin of every product.
- ✓Keep cleaning records and check expiry dates.
- ✓Train staff on hygiene and allergen awareness.
- ✓Fix leaks and equipment problems quickly.
- ✓Use water and energy carefully.
- ✓Welcome feedback and act on complaints.
- ✓Update opening hours and stock online so customers are not disappointed.
What we expect from store owners
City Farm is a guide, not a seller. Stores listed on the platform commit to full transparency about origin and production methods. We expect them to be able to demonstrate, on request, that their products genuinely come from local producers — from the city, province, the Netherlands or Europe — who promote sustainable agriculture, do not use pesticides, respect natural production and do not sell anything industrially processed.
- ✅ Proof of origin and direct relationship with the producer.
- ✅ Preference for organic, biodynamic or natural cultivation, free of synthetic pesticides.
- ✅ No ultra-processed products, no unnecessary preservatives or additives.
- ✅ Short supply chains and seasonal offerings whenever possible.
Hygiene & food safety (Dutch law)
Every shop, farm and producer listed on City Farm must fully comply with Dutch and European food-safety and hygiene legislation, including but not limited to the rules listed below, together with any other regulation specifically applicable to their own activity, sector, product category, location or legal form. Supervision lies with the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA); compliance is the exclusive responsibility of the store owner.
- 📜 Dutch Commodities Act (Warenwet) and Hygiene of Foodstuffs Decree.
- 📜 EU Regulation 852/2004 — general hygiene rules for foodstuffs (HACCP).
- 📜 EU Regulation 178/2002 — General Food Law and traceability.
- 📜 EU Regulation 1169/2011 — labelling, allergens and origin information.
- 📜 Sector Hygiene Code (e.g. for fresh-food retail, butchers, bakers or hospitality).
- 📜 Skal Biocontrole certification for products sold as 'organic' (biologisch).
- 📜 And any other local, national or European regulation applicable to the specific shop or its products.
Good faith notice: City Farm publishes this information in good faith and solely to inform the consumer. Each shop is fully responsible for what it publishes on the platform and for the accuracy, completeness and legality of its listing. By using City Farm the consumer acknowledges that the platform acts as a guide, not as a seller or guarantor.
City Farm does not perform inspections and is not a certifying authority. See our terms.