Why We Do It

The Problem

Modern food systems are extractive. Waste is discarded. Food travels unnecessarily far. Margins concentrate at the top. Communities remain economically excluded.

We believe cities can produce food differently - locally, circularly, inclusively -  and still be profitable and resilient.

The Lokal Loop Model

We collect used coffee grounds from Berlin cafés and transform them into growing substrate, which becomes locally produced oyster mushrooms delivered to restaurants and hotels. We then upcycle the used up substrate blocks and grow microgreens, which are supplied in live trays directly to professional kitchens and chefs for maximum freshness and minimal waste. Households grow mushrooms at home using their own coffee grounds through our growkits.

Beyond production, the model creates practical work and training opportunities—especially for refugees or anyone facing barriers to entering the labor market. The concept is designed to expand through micro-financing and supporting member-owned and refugee-owned micro-farms. These production units operate independently while remaining connected within a wider network. This is not charity or government funding; it is economic participation through demand-driven production.

Our Principles

Environmentally Sustainable

Waste becomes food. Short supply chains reduce impact.

Socially Responsible

We create real work, practical skills, and pathways to ownership.

Economically Viable

Value is distributed through fair partnerships and future member-based farm ownership.

Collaborative

We work with cafés, restaurants, producers, and community members as partners.

Future-Ready

We use science, technology and scalable systems to support transparent, efficient, decentralized growth.

Where We’re Going

La Vida Lokal is building a replicable model of:

- Circular resource use and urban food production

- Inclusive employment

- Member-financed micro-farms

- Refugee and community ownership pathways

Local production. Shared participation. Scalable structure.

Join the Lokal Loop

Whether you run a kitchen, want to grow at home, or are interested in doing something different: you are always part of a system, so choose a good one. And if you don't find it, join us and let's make our own system.