Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545759
What concerns do farmers have when transitioning to organic? The main concern is whether they will be able to sell their produce at a stable and fair price. When there is a reliable system connecting farmers to consumers, confidence in transition increases significantly. What makes organic farming especially valuable in Malta? Malta's climate offers unique agricultural potential, especially compared to much of Europe. Organic farming strengthens soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem balance by working with nature rather than against it. It is a long-term investment in environmental resilience that is often overlooked in favour of short-term thinking. Why is supporting farmers directly so important? Farmers take real risks every season. Once seeds are planted, many factors are outside their control. If we don't actively support them by choosing local produce, we weaken the system that feeds us. Often, people don't realise that local options are already available—they simply go unnoticed. How does The Veg Box support fair compensation? We prioritise ensuring farmers receive the highest possible share of the final price. They carry the greatest risk and do the hardest work, and should therefore be properly supported. There is no such thing as "cheap" food—someone always pays the price, whether it is the farmer, the environment, or public health. What do you wish consumers understood better? That modern farming is not what many people imagine. Many farmers today actively choose this life because they are passionate about it. But it is demanding and unpredictable work, and it depends on real consumer commitment to survive. What does "good food" mean to you? Food that is good for you, good for the farmer, and good for the planet. Ideally shared with people you love, in a place like Malta, in peace. What gives you hope for the future of organic farming in Malta? The growing access to information across generations gives me hope. With awareness and willingness to act, better choices are possible, and increasingly within reach. If readers take away one message about organic food, local farming, and sustainability, what would you like it to be? We all have a responsibility in the food choices we make. It doesn't need to be perfect, but it does need to be intentional. Choose wisely, understand nature, ask questions, and support local farming wherever possible. These decisions shape the future of our food system. 37