The innovation journey

In 2020, Karin Körver founded Plantalia, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm between Middelburg and Ritthem in Zeeland. The farm has expanded from 0.5 to 1.5 hectares and grew from 40 to 100 members, with potential for more. Plantalia offers a self-harvesting membership, allowing members to pick their products from April to December, fostering a direct connection with their food. The farm offers a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers, including rare varieties like black tomatoes and Siberian kale. Members pay an annual fee and receive guidance on harvesting techniques.

Former ICT professional Karin used her skills to establish Plantalia, developing the website by herself and attracting members through local news features. Her sincerity helped secure plots from sustainable, organic landowners. Inspired by initiatives like Tuinen van Groede and CitySeeds, Plantalia emphasizes the social nature of sustainable food consumption. CitySeeds provides fresh vegetables to at-risk families with the help of volunteers, offering small urban garden plots for rent and cares for children. In line with these initiatives, Plantalia more stands out with its membership system, diverse crops, larger size for more households, and professional guidance, having obtained EU organic certification in January 2024.