GEOfood -Saimaa Geopark gastronomic tourism development
The GEOfood -Saimaa Geopark gastronomic tourism development project will build a regional local food brand, increase the capacity of businesses to serve international and domestic tourists and make the sustainability aspect of food tourism visible. The project will result in a GEOfood brand for the Saimaa Geopark area. The geological heritage of the area will be linked to the story of local food and this will be commercialised. The visibility of the area's food tourism services will be increased and businesses will be given new models and tools to develop their activities. Cooperation between operators in the different parts of the food chain and tourism businesses will be developed.
Saimaa Geopark destinations and food tourism content will be highlighted as part of the Saimaa European Region of Gastronomy anniversary year and the region will raise its profile as a food tourism area where food is produced in a clean and responsible way, from local ingredients. The project's target area is the Saimaa Geopark area in South Karelia and South Savo with its neighbouring municipalities. The target group includes businesses in the rural area. The project will promote both domestic and international tourism. The project is implemented in cooperation between LAB-ammattikorkeakoulu and Saimaa Geopark.
The project is funded by the Rural Development Fund. EU contribution 218 967 EUR.
The project period is 1.01.2024 - 31.07.2025.
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geofood - local food and geological heritage
GEOfood is food grown or sustainably produced in and around the Geopark. GEOfood aims to support local food production, the local economy and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through local food. GEOfood also aims to support local businesses, educate visitors and residents of the geoparks, raise awareness of the links between local food and geological heritage. The GEOfood label highlights the specificity of the region's geological heritage and its impact on its food and cultural heritage.
GEOfood has been conceived as one of the possible responses of the Geopark to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) and in particular to the global agricultural challenges identified by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations).
GEOfood is an innovative approach to connect all target groups of the population to the ongoing geological history and research in the region: food is an "international language" that anyone can understand. Through food, we want to connect people to the land and nature, and strengthen food education and the responsible use of resources.
GEOfood is for example berries, mushrooms, game, fish from the forests, local agricultural products, and food and dishes made from them to be served in restaurants throughout the Geopark.
