Reichenau-Gemüse eG
Marktstrasse 1
78479 Insel Reichenau
Phone: +49 (0) 7534 9200-0
info@reichenaugemuese.de
www.reichenaugemuese.de
Producer organisation – Reichenau-Gemüse eG
Reichenau-Gemüse eG is the central producer organisation for vegetable growers on Reichenau Island and stands for sustainable, environmentally friendly and integrated vegetable production. A special feature: over 44% of production is carried out using certified organic farming methods – and this figure is rising.
Awarded the Baden-Württemberg quality mark, among others, we market fresh, regional products that are available all year round under the motto ‘fresh every day from the vegetable island’. Distribution is handled by our marketing company Reichenau-Gemüse-Vertriebs eG.
Quality over quantity – our vegetable growers
Vegetable cultivation on the island of Reichenau and the mainland is traditionally based on family farms. They have organised themselves into their own cooperative, Reichenau-Gemüse eG, for marketing purposes. In addition to conventional cultivation in the ground or in pots, organic farming plays a very important role. Mass production is neither possible nor desirable due to the cultivation structures on the island itself. Approximately 80 hectares of open land and 40 hectares of greenhouses are cultivated on the vegetable island. On the mainland, there are approximately 100 hectares of open land and 24 hectares of greenhouse cultivation.
Expertise under one roof – affiliated companies
Reichenau-Gemüse-Vertriebs eG is the sales organisation for all vegetables grown on Reichenau Island. Its sales area covers the whole of Germany, but is mainly regional, focusing on Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. In addition, Reichenau-Gemüse-Vertriebs eG offers all its customers a year-round range of fruit and vegetables from all over the world. All marketing activities are bundled, coordinated and carried out by Reichenau-Gemüse-Vertriebs eG.
Raiffeisen-Lagerhaus eG (known as Reichenauer Gärtner Center for short) is the third cooperative. It supplies gardeners with all the operating resources they need to produce top-quality vegetables. This also includes the distribution of beneficial insects as part of biological plant protection. Hobby gardeners in the region also benefit from this expertise and advice from specialists, as they can purchase all their gardening supplies here. In addition, the post office agency operates the postal service on the island of Reichenau.
Long-standing cooperation – partners
Reichenau-Gemüse eG works with carefully selected partners. Cooperative partnerships and long-standing cooperation are important to us. They guarantee high quality in the production and marketing of our products. Our partners include a large number of organisations involved in quality assurance and association activities, as well as local partners and sales outlets.
FACTS
Foundation
1956
Industry
Agriculture
Certifications
Baden-Württemberg quality mark, EU organic, Bioland, Naturland seals, Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), Quality Assurance for Foodstuffs (QS), IFS
International Features Standards – more information: https://www.reichenaugemuese.de/Qualitaet/
Number of employees
just under 100
Awards and honours
TASPO Awards 2024 – awarded second place in the category ‘Best Concept Vegetables/Herbs/Fruit’ for its sustainable sweet potato packaging
Climate-friendly company
yes
Special features
The three special features of Reichenau vegetables are the protected geographical indication (PGI) for certain varieties such as lamb’s lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, the sustainable cultivation method of integrated production with minimal use of pesticides and natural aids, and the particularly mild climate and humus-rich soils of the Lake Constance region, which result in high quality and quantity.
Statement
“Island – Quality from Lake Constance
Reichenau is Germany’s southernmost vegetable-growing region. The Lake Constance region, well known to tourists, is the cradle of a vegetable island that is unique in Europe. The ideal climatic conditions, the humus-rich, fertile soil, the commitment and skills of the vegetable growers and the modern cooperative marketing system are the reasons for Reichenau’s excellent reputation as a vegetable island.”
Unique – our location
An exposed location in the lake and the effects of the Alpine foehn wind not only give the island an above-average number of sunny days per year, but also an exceptionally mild climate that is particularly favourable for vegetable cultivation and allows up to three outdoor harvests per year. The Reichenau gardeners obtain the water they need in drinking water quality from Lake Constance, Europe’s largest drinking water reservoir. Lake Constance also acts as a heat reservoir and a natural air conditioning system.
Historically grown – tradition
Vegetable cultivation has been rooted on Reichenau for centuries. In 724 AD, the itinerant bishop Pirmin founded a Benedictine monastery on the island in Lake Constance. One of the abbots was Walahfrid Strabo, who lived there from 838 to 849 AD. His monastic herb garden is considered the origin of vegetable cultivation on the island of Reichenau. This garden can still be visited today within the monastery walls. Vegetable cultivation in its current form has existed for over 100 years. Since then, the gardeners of the vegetable island have been supplying the people of southern Germany with fresh, high-quality and healthy vegetables.
Worthy of protection – UNESCO World Heritage Site The island of Reichenau in Lake Constance was first mentioned as ‘Reiche Au’ in 724 AD. The culmination of a long historical development was its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. It was recognised as a World Heritage Site for its uniqueness and historical ‘authenticity’. In addition to its three churches, the name Reichenau is also directly linked to events, ideas, artistic and literary works of exceptional universal significance.
Johannes Bliestle, Geschäftsführung
Benefits for employees
Staff development
Internal and external training, annual employee appraisals for professional, methodological and personal development based on our value diamond.
Family and career
Flexible working hours and home office options, individual part-time solutions.
Salary
Performance-related pay, up to 13 salaries, holiday pay, use of a performance-related remuneration component, capital-forming benefits
Company pension scheme
Contribution to the company pension scheme in the form of salary conversion
Company accident insurance
Covered for workplace and private accidents
Health management
‘Hansefit’ health card, subsidy for lunch, weekly fruit basket and free water
Free work clothing
for employees in the warehouse and driving areas
Employee discounts
All employees receive discounts when shopping at Reichenau-Gemüse eG, the vegetable pavilion and the Reichenau Garden Centre.
Fair corporate culture
Open communication, regular employee surveys, annual company outing and Christmas party
More at www.reichenaugemuese.de