Latvia Adventures

Organic Living in Latvia: Guide to Local Markets and Eco Stores

Organic living in Latvia

Latvia, one of Europe’s greenest countries, is fast becoming a haven for sustainability seekers. With over half of the land covered in forests and a long-standing tradition of homegrown food, the lifestyle here naturally leans toward eco-consciousness. More than just a trend, organic living in Latvia is a return to roots—simple, local, and mindful.

Whether you’re a resident, a digital nomad, or a curious traveler, Latvia offers the perfect environment to live sustainably without sacrificing quality or convenience.

1. The Heart of Organic Living: Latvia’s Local Markets

Local markets are where tradition meets sustainability. You’ll find fresh produce, foraged goods, and homemade products straight from farmers and families who have been cultivating the land for generations.

Top Local Markets Worth Exploring

  • Riga Central Market (Rīgas Centrāltirgus): Housed in old zeppelin hangars, this UNESCO-listed market features organic vendors in the open-air sections.

  • Agenskalns Market: Recently renovated, this market in Riga’s hip district offers fresh bio-certified vegetables, eco-friendly goods, and even plant-based cafés.

  • Cēsis Farmers’ Market: A smaller, more community-driven spot with high-quality produce and seasonal herbs.

  • Liepāja Green Market: Perfect for organic fish, Baltic honey, and coastal herbs harvested sustainably.

These markets reflect the core of organic living in Latvia: community-supported agriculture, minimal packaging, and seasonal, local eating.

2. Eco Stores in Latvia: Shopping with a Conscience

Latvia’s eco stores offer a refreshing alternative to commercial supermarkets. These shops prioritize organic certifications, plastic-free solutions, and ethically sourced goods.

Best Eco Stores for Sustainable Living

  • Zemes Draugs (Riga): Refill stations, eco household items, organic food, and a strong zero-waste philosophy.

  • Zaļā Govs (Green Cow): A well-stocked chain across Latvia offering certified organic products, fair-trade snacks, herbal remedies, and local health brands.

  • Turza (Online + Pop-Ups): Known for zero-waste kits, reusable items, and beautifully packaged Latvian-made natural cosmetics.

  • iDille (Online): A growing e-commerce store featuring organic cleaning products, eco laundry items, and gluten-free foods.

Pro tip: Many of these stores offer discounts if you bring your own containers—a small but impactful step toward deeper organic living in Latvia.

3. Organic Farms and CSA Boxes: Direct From Soil to Table

Latvia has a growing network of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiatives. These allow you to buy directly from organic farms, often through weekly or bi-weekly subscription boxes.

Notable Organic Farms & Box Programs

  • Kalna Pūcītes Farm: Offers bio-certified produce and home deliveries in Riga.

  • Lazdukalns Eco Farm: Known for heirloom vegetable varieties, wild herbs, and chemical-free berries.

  • Zāļu Sala: Offers herbal tea blends, tinctures, and wildcrafted products grown with biodynamic principles.

Subscribing to a CSA box is a convenient way to embrace organic living in Latvia while supporting small-scale, ethical farming.

4. Organic Dining: Eco-Friendly Cafés and Restaurants

Latvia’s food scene has evolved to include a wide range of organic-friendly restaurants, vegan cafés, and farm-to-table dining experiences.

Must-Visit Organic Dining Spots

  • Terapija (Riga): A cozy vegan café using locally sourced, organic ingredients.

  • Mr. Fox (Riga): Healthy brunch spot with vegetarian and organic options, plus kombucha on tap.

  • Valmiermuižas Alus Virtuve: A rustic restaurant in Valmiera known for its organic meats, craft beer, and slow food approach.

  • Istaba Café: Part art gallery, part eatery, offering organic Latvian dishes in a uniquely creative atmosphere.

These spots help you practice organic living in Latvia even when dining out, proving that sustainability can be delicious.

5. Seasonal Foraging and Wildcrafting

One unique element of organic living in Latvia is the tradition of foraging. Latvians have long harvested what the forests and meadows provide—berries, mushrooms, herbs, and more.

What You Can Forage (By Season)

  • Spring: Nettles, wild garlic, birch sap

  • Summer: Blueberries, chanterelles, wild strawberries

  • Autumn: Cranberries, porcini mushrooms, rowan berries

  • Winter: Pine needles (for tea), dried herbs, preserved wild foods

Foraging is more than a hobby—it’s a mindful, sustainable way to engage with nature, directly tied to the rhythms of the land. It’s a deep-rooted practice that truly defines organic living in Latvia.

6. Green Habits for Everyday Organic Living

Going organic isn’t just about food. Here are some easy, effective ways to integrate sustainability into your daily life in Latvia:

  • Switch to Green Electricity: Many providers now offer renewable energy options.

  • Compost: Even in apartments, small indoor composters are available.

  • Shop Second-Hand: Latvia has thriving thrift stores and flea markets, especially in cities like Riga and Jelgava.

  • Support Local Eco Brands: From natural skincare to biodegradable home products, many Latvian startups are making eco-conscious products more accessible.

7. Join Latvia’s Eco Communities and Events

Get inspired and stay connected by joining Latvia’s vibrant eco-conscious communities and attending sustainable events.

Popular Green Events

  • GreenFest (Riga): Music meets sustainability with eco-markets, upcycling booths, and vegan food trucks.

  • Zaļais Jampadracis: An eco-fair featuring educational activities for families, DIY workshops, and organic produce sales.

  • EcoHack Hackathon: A yearly innovation event where green startups and tech teams collaborate to solve environmental challenges.

Online & Local Communities

  • Facebook Groups: “Zaļais dzīvesveids Latvijā” and “Organic Food Latvia” for tips, exchanges, and community news.

  • Meetup & Couchsurfing Events: For eco-minded travelers and locals to connect through hikes, cleanups, and foraging walks.

Participating in these communities helps reinforce your commitment to organic living in Latvia while building meaningful connections.

8. Organic Beauty and Skincare Products Made in Latvia

Organic living in Latvia isn’t limited to food—it extends into what you put on your skin. The country has a strong tradition of using herbal, natural remedies, and many Latvian beauty brands focus on sustainability, minimal ingredients, and cruelty-free practices.

Top Latvian Organic Beauty Brands

  • Madara Cosmetics: Perhaps Latvia’s most internationally recognized eco-beauty brand. It offers organic-certified skincare, haircare, and sun protection made from Baltic botanicals.

  • Kivvi Cosmetics: Specializing in fruit-based skincare products, all vegan and packed in sustainable packaging.

  • Stenders: A spa-inspired brand that creates handmade soaps, bath bombs, and essential oils using natural ingredients sourced locally.

Switching to clean beauty is a smart move if you want to align your skincare routine with the values of organic living in Latvia.

9. Sustainable Fashion and Ethical Clothing Brands

More Latvians are becoming conscious of how clothing is made, choosing eco-friendly fabrics, ethical production, and second-hand alternatives.

Sustainable Fashion Options in Latvia

  • Zīle Clothing: Offers minimalistic, timeless pieces made from organic linen and natural fabrics.

  • M-Couture: A local fashion label that incorporates slow fashion principles with eco-conscious designs.

  • Otrā Elpa (Second Breath): One of Latvia’s most popular second-hand clothing store chains, perfect for finding high-quality pre-loved fashion at a low environmental cost.

By choosing local and sustainable fashion, you reduce the environmental footprint of your wardrobe and support the principles of organic living in Latvia.

10. Eco-Friendly Travel and Nature Stays in Latvia

Latvia’s countryside and protected natural areas make it ideal for eco-tourism. Whether it’s glamping in Gauja National Park or staying on an organic farm, travelers can enjoy a low-impact, nature-focused experience.

Green Travel Experiences to Try

  • Eco-Farms with Accommodations: Some organic farms offer rustic guesthouses where you can help harvest food, cook local meals, or attend workshops.

  • Nature Reserves & Eco Cabins: Book a stay in a solar-powered forest cabin or a lakeside yurt with composting toilets and rainwater systems.

  • Bike Tours & Kayaking: Explore Latvia’s vast natural landscapes on guided or self-organized eco-tours.

Supporting sustainable tourism ensures that organic living in Latvia becomes part of the travel economy too.

11. Government and EU Support for Organic Agriculture

Latvia is part of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which strongly promotes organic farming. As a result, farmers here can receive subsidies for converting to and maintaining organic practices.

How Policy Supports Organic Living

  • Financial Incentives: Grants and subsidies for organic conversion and biodiversity protection.

  • Certification Programs: Government-backed certifications like “Latvijas Ekoprodukts” guarantee consumers are buying truly organic.

  • Education & Training: State-funded programs help farmers, small business owners, and individuals learn sustainable practices.

This support from the government ensures that organic living in Latvia is not just a lifestyle, but a national priority.

12. Education for the Next Generation: Eco-Schools and Workshops

Latvia’s commitment to sustainability includes educating the next generation through environmental programs and eco-school certifications.

Environmental Education Initiatives

  • Eco-Schools Program: Many Latvian schools are part of this global initiative that promotes sustainability in education.

  • Workshops for Children: Activities like composting, gardening, and nature walks teach kids the value of living organically.

  • Community Gardening Projects: Schools and neighborhoods often partner to grow food together, teaching both youth and adults about organic farming methods.

These grassroots efforts help embed the principles of organic living in Latvia into daily life from an early age.

Organic living in Latvia goes beyond what you eat or buy—it’s about the entire relationship with your environment. Whether you’re foraging in the forest, shopping with reusable bags, or supporting a local artisan, every action contributes to a cleaner, more conscious world. Embracing this lifestyle means aligning with Latvia’s deep cultural connection to nature and helping to preserve it for future generations. Now is the perfect time to start or deepen your journey into organic living in Latvia—your body, community, and planet will thank you.