Guiding principles

As ecological as possible

Food alone is the number cause of environmental degradation around the world and therefore has a great regenerative potential. All items on our shelves must be produced in accordance with the holistic organic and biodynamic principles, beyond labels. The entire production chain must nurture soil life, water resources, human health, animal welfare, wildlife habitat, biodiversity as well as natural cycles and ecosystems.

Our offer should neither harm the environment, animals nor people who produce and eat them. No synthetic fertilisers, chemical pesticides nor harsh biopesticides can be used during cultivation. F1 hybrid seeds will be avoided. In addition, no synthetic detergent, paint, glue, etc. will be used to maintain the store (unless no other options are available) nor will it be offered to members.

As fair and directly traded as possible

Many farmers and artisans around the world find it difficult to sell the fruit of their hard labor at a price that ensures a living wage. Polykultur equally values people and planet. It will support fair trade practices when we purchase products both locally and internationally while ensuring an affordable price for our members. We will develop good relationships wherever possible with the producers and prioritise:

• Direct trade with Swedish farmers and artisans. We will only import, primarily from Europe, when there is less than 3 fruits or 5 veggies from Sweden available and no more than 3 products in each category at the time depending on available local supply.
• At origin transformation for non-European staples like coffee, tea and chocolate when available at an affordable price, as adding value at the production country is the most ethical option. Otherwise, more locally transformed alternatives will be offered too.
• Female, disabled, indigenous, and minority producers.

As local as possible

The farm-to-table distance has a decisive impact on the nutritional value and environmental footprint of food, as well as on the livelihood of farmers. A local supply chain tends to eliminate costly middlemen, along with polluting transportation. The shorter the distance between the point of harvesting and the point of consumption, the fresher the food and the higher the chance to be on our shelves. Local also means consuming as much of the produce naturally available in our climate, like perennials and growing food from seeds and breeds that are suited for our local environment.

As seasonal as possible

Aligning consumption with local natural growing cycles promotes low energy and low input agriculture. In that spirit, we support the use of unheated greenhouses as a low impact way of extending growing seasons for annual crops, making it possible to grow some produce locally or extending their availability. Artificially heated greenhouses, however, negate the environmental benefit of a longer local growing season and produce cultivated in such conditions shall not be offered. Only seasonal produce, as per the above definition, will be featured in our assortment.

As Artisanal as possible

Produce consumed fresh at the peak of the season with heirloom cultivars is often the most healthy, nutritious option. So are small amounts of slow-reared meat and dairy products. However conservation and transformation are another great way to extend the growing season, avoid waste and sometimes even enhance nutritional value. We therefore will offer a wide selection of fermented, pickled, dried, frozen or otherwise preserved food, provided they have been transformed without unnecessary additives. This artisanality principle also applies to household and beauty products.

As bulk as possible

Plastic or not, single use packaging should be a thing of the past. Polykultur will offer unperishable and unbreakable dry foods –such as short pasta, rice, breakfast cereals, seeds, beans and lentils -, most fruit (not berries) and vegetables as well as dry sanitary products such as soap only in bulk. We will also gradually introduce oils, spreads, liquid soap, etc. in bulk form. Members are encouraged to bring their own bags and jars or purchase plastic-free containers in the store.

As environmentally friendly as possible

Acknowledging that any human activity, including running an organic store, has an environmental impact, we will be proactive in minimizing our footprint. We use the most environmentally friendly materials and resources we can afford to run the store and carefully avoid waste, reusing, upcycling, and recycling wherever and whenever possible. This particularly applies to packaging, energy, water, furniture and equipment. We also select our supplier based on the same standard and influence them to continuously improve and use the best affordable available alternative in terms of mulching, transportation, packaging, etc.

As affordable as possible

One of the very promises of the cooperative is to make organic products accessible to the many people, rather than a gourmet luxury reserved for the few. We will work to find creative ways to cut costs to ensure all members can afford the majority of our produce without compromising on justice, quality and sustainability. Digitalization, community-supported agriculture, volunteering at farms or self-picking as part of the shift system are some of the tools we will test.

As transparent as possible

If people know how little farmers earn vs the middlemen, they will not shop at conventional supermarkets. Polykultur will apply the same margin of 21% to all products to finance its operations. How that money is spent will be transparent. We are open and honest in all our financial transactions and in all aspects of our procurement. Signage in the store about the sustainability, nutrition and ethical nature of each product will further strengthen transparency.

We are a politically and financially independent association.

As participatory as possible

So much of what and how we consume is decided by big corporations, in complete disregard of planetary, animal and human health. Polykultur is all about taking back the reins and getting a seat at the table. We will operate on the premise of one person one vote, no matter how much you contribute to the project. All members can suggest the addition or removal of products in line with the above principles. Everyone is also encouraged to work in the store's different "departments" and attend general assemblies where big decisions are made. To ensure the success of this participatory democracy system, a special emphasis is made on:

• All members contribute to the financial and human capital of the store by buying at least one share and working 3 hours every 4 weeks in or for the store. (See member manual)
• Disseminating relevant up-to-date knowledge to better equip members in making environmentally and socially sustainable choices for the store as well as inspire others to start similar co-ops.
• Developing a tight community in and around the store. In addition to fostering ownership and collaboration between members, our ambition is to make Polykultur a space for mutual learning as well as a petri dish for other initiatives anchored in and tailored to the diversity of communities we evolve in.

Each of these principles are equally important to us and indissociable. They are based on our current understanding of the food and economic systems. However, we are conscious of the fact that science, knowledge and technologies evolve. That's why we put special emphasis on continuous improvement on all of our guiding principles.