State-backed organic food shop debuts on Prague's Wenceslas Square

A new shop selling regional products has opened in the center of Prague. Backed by the Ministry of Agriculture and located on Štěpánská Street, just steps from Wenceslas Square, Naše Síťovka, will stock organic, seasonal foods supplied by local producers.

Minister of Agriculture Marek Výborný attended the official opening of the new shop and commented: “We wanted to give space to regional producers for them to present their products in the city center and thus promote the Czech and Moravian food industry and agriculture.” 

The store specializes in regional cheeses, fruit and vegetables, dairy, confectionery and meat products, oils or fish specialties.

About 80 percent of all products will be from established, quality brands; the rest will be seasonal products from local suppliers. The store offers food from regional food award winners, BIO organic farming products, or products with the KLASA brand. 

The new store is a joint project of the State Agricultural Intervention Fund, the Ministry of Agriculture, and private shop owners. According to Petr Dlouhý, general director of the State Agricultural Intervention Fund, it’s the first store in the Czech Republic to offer products from all regions in one place. Other suppliers may also join the project.

A recent sales analysis found that Czechs are increasingly interested in buying locally sourced products. Výborný added that he hopes the shop's central location will also draw tourists looking to sample Czech brands. Since the shop’s opening last week, customers have mainly purchased ciders, dairy products, and baked goods.

Naše Síťovka will also run promotional offers and tastings in the first weeks of its opening. The store will be open from Monday to Friday, between 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.