Food Province – Creating Food for LifeProject Manager Annukka Hautamäki

Seinäjoki Region Business Service Centre

In Shouthern Ostrobothinia we have the passion and will for producing food

• The Seinäjoki Region only accounts for less than four per cent of the overall finnish population, but still produces almost 15 % of all food in Finland

• Food systems is identified as one of the most important priority area in the strategic programmes of both the City of Seinäjoki and the Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia

FOOD PROVINCE – Creating Food for Life

“The name Food Province aptly describes the vast know-how concentrated to our region. Good food is a matter of honour. To us from South Ostrobothnia the Food Province means more than just producing food from local ingredients. It is about the entire food chain and culture as well as associated competence and business promotion. This includes food safety, traceability and quality.”

Regional Mayor Asko Peltola Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia

Strong in the tradition of food

• NEED TO DO: cultural change -

where going out for dinner or coffee is seen as a part of people’s normal everyday life, not a sign of laziness

Innovation

Consumer /individualwellbeing

BusinessAgriculture

developing, projects, actions,

new business, jobs etc.

FOOD PROVINCE – Creating Food for Life

The innovation category:

A pioneer in the development of the field and continuous innovation in the business.

•Atria Oyj: A significant regional food manufacturer, who is a pioneer in food safety and product traceability to the farms of the primary producers. A model example on how even a large company can tell the tale of their products to the consumers.•Juustoportti Oy: The company develops boldly and with determination, and grows in the long-term. The company has created a fine success story, by developing a high-quality selection of special cheeses, in addition to its popular Finnish squeaky cheese, known as “bread cheese” in Finland.•Pramia Oy: Advanced and organic production. The company operates independently and boldly in its field, and also promotes respect for the environment: Pramia does not waste primary products, or energy. In fact it generates its own. The company’s organic production facility is also internationally acknowledged.•Valio Oy: The company has invested boldly in the regional interests and promoted the region in its marketing. The company is able to respond rapidly to consumer trends. Especially the products manufactured at the Seinäjoki dairy have been favoured in consumer trends in recent years.

FOODPROVINCE PREMIUM 2013

The product category:

A high-quality basic product, which has been skilfully processed to appeal to consumers.

•Alavuden Öljynpuristamo Oy: Cold pressed rape-seed oil. A vegetable oil, which is healthy and consists of domestic produce. The company has faith in its basic product, from which new seasoning and even a channel to the international market have been derived.•Domretor Oy: Carrot purée. An easy-to-use, healthy and affordable locally produced product for every home. The versatile basic product that can easily be used in many different ways at home.•Koivumäen tyrnitarha: Buckthorn Chutney. A high-quality product, in which new seasoning and structure-improving ingredients have been boldly used.•Oy Linseed Protein Finland Ltd: The gluten-free Lumina series. In these products, high-quality produce has been used to evoke genuine flavours and to enrich the total offering for special diets. Additionally, the company has drawn attention to the product’s many uses and the excellent packaging design of the whole series.

… The product category:

•Oy Mallaskoski Ab: Whole malt beer manufactured by hand. The only small-scale, artisan brewery in the region, which enriches the regional food culture and also constitutes one of the landmarks of Seinäjoki.•Punaisen tuvan viinitila: Wines and liqueurs of Punaisen tuvan viinitila. An innovative way to make use of domestic berries and an established position in their line of products. The company has also managed to combine manufacture and tourism in an exemplary manner.•Rantalan Liha: Elk meat processing. Through long-term development, this family business has managed to productify wild game to be enjoyed easily at home, too.•Sillankorvan Yrttijuusto: Garlic cream cheese. The flavour of the soft spreadable cream cheese derives from natural garlic. The small-scale business has also innovatively made use of the Food Province network in developing its business operations.•Wirtalan Jäätelö Oy: Wirtala Ice cream. The ice cream, made from milk from the farms own cows, has a full-bodied taste accompanied by fresh berries from the region. The company is a great example of local co-operation between the different Food Province producers.

The logistics category:

Exemplary logistics and supply chain, which guarantees functional services for the customer.

•Altia Oyj: The Koskenkorva factory. A significant and versatile processer of regionally grown barley. The by-product resulting from alcohol manufacturing is used as protein rich animal feed at the local farms.•Ilmajoen Makkaramestarit: Experimental solutions for retail. A pioneer in regional productification of organic produce with a good sales network. The company’s own van for local produce has also distributed the products of other regional producers. As we speak, the products are flown all over the world from the Eat & Joy tax free shop at Helsinki airport.•Laidun Hereford: Logistics solutions that serve the consumers well. The small-scale producer who does not shy away from challenges has rapidly established its position as a producer of high-quality beef cattle. The company is a pilot for the development of the groundbreaking distribution solution by Itella (the Finnish post), where thermo transports that guarantee an uninterrupted cold chain are delivered right to the customer’s doorstep.

… The logistics category:

•Pirjon Pakari Seinäjoki Ky: Innovative logistics solutions and freshness guarantee. A unique way to transport freshly baked bread to retailers, as the baker himself drives the products to the shops. The daily interaction between shop and bakery enables very fast response to wishes and improvements.•Tukkutalo Heinonen Oy: An efficient distribution channel for local produce. Readily transports the contract farmers’ and the regional producers’ products to shops and restaurants. The transport routes are efficiently planned to guarantee an optimized delivery chain and fast supplies.