Steps towards local food!

I am happy to tell that we have 7 restaurants committed on advancing local food in Turku and more are welcomed! These restaurants are ready to launch local food menus on 1.2.2011 during the conference and also offer it during the entire year 2011. They have committed that the food offered with a special symbol, for which there is a competition ongoing until 31.8.2010, minimum of 80% of the food is locally produced. This is really high on Finnish standards. More information in Finnish.

The initiative for local food started in 2009, when while analyzing the selection in Turku, it was realized that so far Turku does not have restaurants, that would be able to answer to the requirements of the Solutions local, together - conference. The process got speeded up, once we decided to create synergy with Valonia´s Kelaa- project and Lounafood -project of the University of Turku, Brahea Centre for Training and Development. The organized workshops for producers, restaurants and logistical organizatins enabled a fruitful cooperation to speed up.

Already now it can be said that open cooperation focusing on the interests of the producers and restaurants has been a key. The approach used is bottom up. It is vital that this is not a project, but a common commitment, which hopefully carries a long way into the future.