Trg kralja Tomislava 15, 35400 Nova Gradiška, Croatia

https://slavonski-ducan.com/

Slavonian Shop in Nova Gradiška is a unique place that combines tradition, local production, and the tourism offer of Slavonia. It was opened with the goal of promoting and selling domestic products made by small producers from the Nova Gradiška area and the wider region.

The shop was established as an initiative of the Cooperative “Community of Producers of the Nova Gradiška Region,” with the support of the City of Nova Gradiška and the municipalities of Cernik, Okučani, Nova Kapela, Staro Petrovo Selo, Davor, and Rešetari.

The Slavonian Shop offers a wide range of local products, including:

• Dried meat delicacies such as kulen, sausages, and čvarci (pork cracklings)
• Various types of locally made cheeses
• Slavonian cakes, jams, ajvar, and blackberry-based products
• Homemade pasta and beekeeping products
• An authentic dish from the Nova Gradiška area – Cernički ćuptet
• Quality wines and fruit brandies
• Souvenirs and handicrafts such as gold embroidery (zlatovez), traditional embroidery, ethnic clothing, jewelry, and bags

The shop also includes a tasting room, where visitors can sample wines, brandies, and meat platters.

The Slavonian Shop in Nova Gradiška applies circular economy principles through various aspects of its operations:

1. Support for Local Production
Rather than relying on industrial, mass-produced goods, the shop brings together over 70 local producers of food, drinks, and crafts. This:

• Reduces transport costs and CO₂ emissions (a smaller environmental footprint)
• Keeps the economic cycle within the region – a core principle of the circular economy
• Encourages the self-sustainability of villages and family farms

2. Use of Natural and Biodegradable Materials
A prime example is the “Slavonian Basket,” hand-woven from willow – a local, renewable material. This:

• Replaces plastic and other waste-generating packaging solutions
• Promotes the use of environmentally friendly materials

3. Extending Product Lifespan through Traditional Methods
Products such as dried meats, jams, and ajvar are preserved using traditional methods (drying, smoking, cooking without additives), which:

• Reduces food spoilage and waste
• Extends shelf life without the need for cold chain logistics

4. Creating Value from Local Resources
Handicrafts and ethnic items (gold embroidery, bags, souvenirs) are made by processing leftover textiles, leather, and natural materials. This:

• Increases the value of materials that would otherwise be discarded
• Supports reuse and creative recycling (upcycling)

5. Education and Promotion of Sustainability
Through the tasting room and direct contact with customers, the shop educates consumers about the value of local, sustainable products, which:

• Encourages more sustainable consumer habits
• Fosters a culture of responsible consumption, essential for a circular economy

The Slavonian Shop implements circular economy principles not through high technology, but through local wisdom, sustainable production, and responsible consumption. Its operations serve as a model for how the circular economy can be successfully integrated into small communities and rural areas.