1. Why should I take part in the survey "How regional is your purchase?  

• You help us to collect valuable information about the supply of regional in retail. Knowing about ways to increase the potential of regional food in retail and catering can improve supply chains and marketing concepts. Regional producers have an easier time getting their products into the shops and restaurants in their area.  
• You play an active role by asking directly at the farms to demonstrate the increased consumer interest in regional food.  
• You find out where the food you buy or the ingredients for your lunch or dinner in the restaurant come from. 
   

2. How and in what time frame can I participate in the survey?  

You use the online questionnaire linked on the survey website for the restaurant and retail survey. It is best to open it directly on your smart phone, but you can also print out the questionnaire beforehand and fill it out by hand. The survey will run from 21.06.-30.09.2021.   
  

3. Where can I do the survey?  

The survey is aimed specifically at restaurants, snack bars and bakeries, butchers in the Dresden region as well as stands of regional producers at the weekly markets in Dresden and the surrounding districts of Bautzen, Meißen and Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge. You would like to survey a business in the surrounding rural area and are not sure whether it still belongs to the Dresden region? You are welcome to answer the questionnaire anyway. 
  

4. Why should the survey not be conducted in supermarkets?  

In supermarkets, the origin or the ingredients of a product can only be identified by a clear description on the label or signage. The staff there will tend to have little time to answer questions about a relatively large range of products.  
  

5. What do I have to keep in mind when answering the online questionnaire?  

• Do I have to answer every question? - No, you can click on the green arrow buttons at the bottom right to move forward and back. 
• Can I answer the questionnaire more than once?  - Yes, that would be great! Just call up the link or QR code again when shopping at the next shop or visiting another restaurant.  
• I asked where the products come from, but I could not be given any information. - That's a pity, but still interesting for us. Fill out the questionnaire anyway and indicate "no information" in the corresponding questions. 6.  
   

6. What happens to the data?  

Personal data will not be collected. If you have left an e-mail address, we will use it to send you the results of the survey and news on the topics of Citizen Science and regional food in the Dresden region as part of the OLGA project. You can withdraw your consent at any time by sending an email to: projekt-olga@tu-dresden.de. Your email address will be deleted at the end of the project and will not be passed on to third parties at any time.

7. What happens to the completed questionnaires?  

The answers will be collected and analysed. You will find out the results of the survey via the project website, our social media channels or the biannual OLGA newsletter.   
  

8. Do I need a smartphone to participate?  

Answering the questionnaire via smartphone is the best and most efficient solution. However, you can also look at the questions beforehand and memorise them, or print out the questionnaire here and take it with you. You can then enter the answers into the online questionnaire later on your computer.  

9. Why should I buy locally?  

• Do it for yourself and your health! And for climate protection. Regional food has short transport routes and is fresh. Long transport routes reduce the vitamin and mineral content of fruit and vegetables. In addition, regional fruit and vegetables can ripen longer because they do not have to endure long transports. The taste is more intense and the content of secondary plant substances strengthens the immune system.    
• Regional means seasonal: Once you start paying attention to what is in season, you will find a great variety and diversity of vegetables. This enriches the menu.  
• Less waste: You can usually buy regional fruit and vegetables at the market or directly from the producer without packaging. Regional meat is now often packed in a box at the butcher's, and the jute bag at the bakery is almost standard. But even regional products sometimes have to be packaged. Meat is also often shrink-wrapped, dry goods need bags, and regional vegetables in the supermarket are also often packed in plastic. However, many unpackaged shops offer regional products because it is easier to avoid packaging here in direct consultation with the producer.  
• The thing with the CO2 balance: Regional food generally has a lower CO2 balance. Of course, the fact that regional products are not transported by plane is a good thing. But unfortunately it is not possible to make general statements. After all, a regional tomato in April grown in a greenhouse heated by fossil fuels has a much higher carbon footprint than a Spanish tomato. On the other hand, the Spanish tomato uses much more water. As a consumer, you have to look carefully and keep an eye on the seasonal calendar: Regional unheated tomatoes are usually only available from July to September.  
• Another factor for the CO2 balance is the energy consumption for storage. In this respect, a regional apple in June can have a worse CO2 balance than an apple from New Zealand.  
• The last major energy consumption, the journey to the grocery store, is in your own hands: do I go by car, by bike or do I walk? 10.   

10. Where can I buy regional food?  

The best place is, of course, directly from the producer! You can find a list of regional producers here: www.regionales.sachsen.de.  

 You don't have time to drive to the producers or weekly markets in your everyday life? On the online platform of Marktschwärmer you can buy regional products from selected producers and meet them in person on various collection days currently in Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Striesen and Neustadt.  

The VG Verbrauchergemeinschaft für umweltgerecht erzeugte Produkte in Dresden offers many regional products.   

Many unpacked shops source many goods regionally whenever possible.   

And last but not least, weekly markets, supermarkets and retailers also offer regional products. Ask for it!  

If you have any further questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us: projekt-olga@tu-dresden.de  

 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION!

 

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