Vision of COST BioGreenhouse

Good food is the basis of a healthy, active life. Horticulture provides fresh commodities rich in minerals, fibres and bioactive compounds, and thereby contributes to a healthy diet. Integrated and organic horticultural production, either indoors or outdoors, contribute to food provisioning. For food and nutrition security, food must be: 1) present in sufficient quantities, 2) physically, economically and socially accessible and affordable, 3) nutritious, with a quality that meets dietary needs and preferences, 4) safe and 5) supported by an adequate environment regarding sanitation, health service and care. To pursue the ambition of developing organic horticulture in greenhouses and high tunnels into an active player within the food system and foodservice, a shift in paradigm is needed - organic protected horticulture needs to redefine itself from being a resource provider/supplier, mainly focusing on production systems and environment, to being an active player in the arena of grand global challenges and human health-integrating societal aspects, e.g., well-being. Organic greenhouse horticulture not only addresses, but also delivers, key solutions in some areas of conflicts, such as land, water and energy use and recycling of resources. In addition, it offers opportunities for empowerment of rural and urban areas. Most research on organic horticulture considers organic greenhouse production systems and production environments. The BioGreenhouse vision considers interactivities between the environmental and societal sphere of food. Innovative organic approaches are a critical precondition for improvement. The potential of organic greenhouse horticulture needs to be brought to the awareness of policy makers. Research to explore the multilevel and multidisciplinary as well as multistakeholder interactions of organic production in greenhouses and high tunnels must be encouraged, by all necessary means.