Ten Questions for Gregor Hoffmann

Local, transparent, eco-effective – these are the values that define Vienna-based business blün and its co-founder Gregor Hoffmann, a fifthgeneration gardener. At the first aquaponic center in the capital – and the country, for that matter – it’s all about natural cycles, growing vegetables, and breeding fish.

The most important questions first: do you refer to tomatoes as Tomaten, or Paradeiser?

I actually say both: my father was from Vienna, so Paradeiser, and my mother is from Upper Austria, so Tomaten.

Breeding fish and growing veg all in one – how does that work?

Aquaponics is the combination of fish breeding (aquaculture) and vegetable growing (hydroponics). The wastewater from the fish tanks provides the basis of the vegetable growing system.

How did this innovative project on the outskirts of Vienna come to fruition?

Four partners and friends working in gardening and agriculture came up with an idea together: creating a form of agriculture fit for our grandchildren, in the form of a modern closed economic cycle.

What fish is best suited for this kind of system?

Catfish, especially the African species, which is perfectly suited due to its natural habitat.

What do the fish eat – surely not the produce?

They eat organic cereal mixed with animal protein that we are continuing to fine-tune in an ongoing research project – high-quality, certified-organic feed.

Where can I find blün products?

On restaurant menus, at the farm gate, or in our online store.

Which Viennese restaurants do you supply?

We now have more or less pride of place on around 50 menus.

Are the products themselves organic?

Our production methods actually take things a step further. There is currently no certification for that in the conventional sense – but our core values of local, transparent, and eco-effective are very much in evidence.

What is it like being a farmer in Vienna?

In short: it’s great! We see ourselves as part of the land and part of the city – something that is only possible in Vienna. The close ties we have with the city and the people around us as customers, stakeholders and the like are unique.