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A report on school meals in the Nordic countries has been published by the Nordic Innovation Center, NICe. The report is the result of a project carried out in co-operation between all the Nordic countries and led by the Confederation of Icelandic Industries.

The project was carried out by so-called food development platforms in the countries, and their activities are described, among other things.

The report contains a detailed summary of the availability and implementation of meals in schools in the Nordic countries. The main advantages and disadvantages of existing systems, knowledge and training for staff working in the production of school meals were assessed and suggestions for improvements were made.

The result of the project is that many factors influence whether the children eat food at school and it is important that they work together with the goal that all children receive the nutrition they need at school. The report provides suggestions to local authorities, school administrators, the food industry, kitchens, parents and public health authorities on how to achieve the best results.

Further information about the project can be found on the Confederation of Icelandic Industries' website at: https://www.si.is/frettasafn/nr/9128

News published on the website of the Confederation of Icelandic Industries, www.si.is.

A very interesting breakfast meeting on biotechnology and related articles will be held at Matís at Vínlandsleið 12 on Thursday 14 April at 08: 30-10: 30.

There is a great boom in biotechnology and related industries in Iceland and many want to say that the growth point of the future lies there. Matís is in good contact with the food and biotechnology industry, and many of Matís' projects are carried out in collaboration with companies in these sectors.

Now is a good time to present the state of affairs, the future vision and the results of recent years. The meeting will feature presentations from both new and older companies as well as presentations from Matís and the University of Iceland. Companies will also present their activities this morning.

Following the meeting, guests will be invited to view Matís' premises at Vínlandsleið 12 as well as Vínlandsleið 14, where several companies have established themselves and there will be a formal opening of that part of the building on this day. 

Further agenda when the meeting draws to a close.

Admission is free and the morning meeting is open to everyone.

Light refreshments available.

Please confirm your arrival by email at liftaeknifundur@matis.is

MATVÍS is holding a seminar on food in school canteens, 6 April at 15:00 at Stórhöfði 31, entered from below.

MATVÍS is holding an open seminar for professionals and producers on the criticism that has been leveled at food in the schools' canteens. There are allegations that feed is carried on the table and not food.

In order to review these issues, MATVÍS has invited the following parties to present their views with a presentation and then sit on a panel.

Agenda
Sentence: Níels S. Olgeirsson, chairman of MATVÍS.

Narratives

• Grímur Þór Gíslason with Grímur the chef. The content and nutritional value of the products he sells to canteens and others.
• Eðvald S Valgarðsson from Kjarnafæði. Kjarnafæði's policy regarding salting, smoking and additives in their products.
• Ólafur Reykdal from Matís. Summary of research results on the nutritional value of bread and meat products.
• Hólmfríður Þorgeirsdóttir at the Public Health Institute. The Public Health Institute's recommendations on food supply in schools based on a handbook for school canteens
• J. Trausti Magnússon, master chef in primary school. Reviewes how he chooses his suppliers and what he emphasizes when purchasing food.
• Panel discussion.

Moderator
Ólafur Jónsson at the Iðunn educational center

If you are studying at an Icelandic university, Matís invites you to visit on Thursday 7 April at to 16-18 Vínlandsleið 12 in Reykjavík (Grafarholt).

Matís has for a long time had a good collaboration with universities, among other things with practical projects in postgraduate studies.

There are exciting opportunities ahead at Matís for powerful students, for example in business, computer science, life sciences, health sciences, food science, nutrition, law, environmental science and engineering.

Matís is in good contact with the food and biotechnology industry, but many believe that the growth points of the future lie there. Many of Matís' projects are carried out in collaboration with companies in these fields.

That April 7 between 16 and 18 We would like to invite you to visit Vínlandsleið 12 in Reykjavík to meet Matís staff, students who work on their projects in collaboration with Matís and employees of companies that have had a successful collaboration with us. These are companies like Marel et al. This is therefore a good place to get acquainted with the food and biotechnology industry, whether the intention is to go to graduate school at one of the country's universities or what the job prospects are after graduation.

Please let us know by email at haskolar@matis.is if you come and please include what studies you are in so we can present specific projects that relate to your field of study.

Light refreshments available!

Friday, April 8 at 13-17 a conference will be held at Matís' headquarters at Vínlandsleið 12 in Reykjavík (Grafarholt). Matís and Íslensk Matorka are hosting the conference and it is open to everyone.

New domestic feed materials for use in aquaculture

Possibilities, quantity, quality and price

Conference at Matís, Vínlandsleið 12, Friday 8 April at 13-17

Conference agenda
13:00 -13:10 Sentence - Jón Bjarnason, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture
13:10 -13:35 Environment - efficient fish production - Alfred Jochumsen, DTU-Akva Denmark
13:35 -13:50 Development of new fish feed ingredients in Sweden: mussel and mushroom meal - Björn Þrándur Björnsson, University of Gothenburg
13:50 -14:05 Green organic waste - Ásbjörn Jónsson, Matís
14:05 -14:20 Production of invertebrates - Jón S. Ólafsson, Veiðimálastofnun
14:20 -14:35 Microorganisms - Arnþór Ævarsson, Prokazyme / Jakob Kristjánsson, Prokazyme
14:35 -14:50 Mushrooms - Georg Ottósson, Flúðasveppir
14:50 -15:10 Coffee
15:10 -15:25 Repja - Jón Bernódusson, Icelandic Maritime Administration / Ólafur Eggertsson, Þorvaldseyri
15:25 -15:40 Many small things make one big thing: are floating algae the energy ball of the century? - Erla Björk Örnólfsdóttir, Vör Marine Research Center
15:40 -15:55 Other possibilities - Ólafur I. Sigurgeirsson, Hólar University
15:55 -16:10 Value of raw materials - Jón Árnason, Matís
16:10 -16:50 Discussion / panel - Rannveig Björnsdóttir (Matís) moderates.
Representatives of feed producers, Björn Þrándur Björnsson (University of Gothenburg), Alfred Jochumsen (DTU-Akva), Sveinbjörn Oddsson (Icelandic Matorka), Björn Björnsson (Hafró), Helgi Thorarensen (University of Hólar).
16:50 -17:00 Summary and conclusion of the meeting

Moderator: Ragnheiður Þórarinsdóttir, Íslensk Matorka

The conference is open to everyone and admission is free.

Please notify us by mail fiskeldisfodur@matis.is.

Matís is now starting a series of courses on professional work methods in small-scale food production. In recent years, Matís has worked to strengthen innovation in small-scale food production by setting up food factories in Hornafjörður and Flúðir and with the project Matvælamiðstöð Austurlands. 

The food factory offers licensed facilities for food production with entrepreneurial support, teaching and advice from Matís experts. In this way, it has been possible to significantly increase the production of food by individuals and smaller companies, often from local ingredients. 

The following courses will be held in the spring of 2011:

All the main aspects of the product's processing and handling will be covered, until it reaches the consumer's table. How and what is needed to produce it (including raw materials, equipment, facilities), advantages and disadvantages of different methods, hazards to be avoided, quality assessment, etc. The teaching will be both theoretical and practical.

The price of a course is ISK 15,000.

Registration and further information can be obtained from:
Port: Vigfús Ásbjörnsson s. 858-5136, vigfus@matis.is
Flúðir: Vilberg Tryggvason s. 858-5133, vilberg@matis.is
Egilsstaðir / Hallormsstaður / Vopnafjörður: Þórarinn E. Sveinsson s. 858-5060, thorarinn@matis.is

Vocational training funds reimburse the cost of holding courses for individuals and companies up to 75%. See further information on vocational training funds and allocation rules at: www.starfsafl.is, www.landsmennt.is, www.starfsmennt.is

Matís plays a leading role in a new and extensive multinational project that the European Union has decided to support for three years, AMYLOMICS. The first meeting of the project was held on Monday 28 March at Matís' headquarters in Reykjavík.

The amount of the grant is a total of ISK 390 million, of which ISK 72 million will go to Matís and a total of ISK 58 million to two other Icelandic companies. In addition, master's and doctoral students will work on projects related to Amylomics.  

The AMYLOMICS project will utilize the diverse ecosystems of geothermal areas in Iceland to develop heat-resistant enzymes for use in the starch and sugar industries. Heat and acid resistance are essential properties in such industrial processes, but can be found in the enzymes of organisms in thermal areas.

Among the participants in AMYLOMICS is a French company Rocket Frères, which is one of the largest in Europe in the production of starch and derivatives, with an annual turnover of about 7 billion euros. Roquette Frères will be able to use enzymes that will be developed in the project to improve processes and innovate in its production. Some of the enzymes will be marketed by the start-up company Prokazyme for use in a variety of sugar industries.

• Dr. Guðmundur Óli Hreggviðsson, subject manager at Matís, will be project manager. Two other Icelandic companies, directly involved in the project, Roche Nimblegen and Prokazyme.

The project and the EU's support for it are good news for the Icelandic scientific community and recognition for Matís. EU research grants are highly sought after and highly competitive. With this, Matís becomes even more established in international scientific co-operation, and of course it is a special gift for Icelanders to now receive substantial funds into society from abroad during these times of recession and austerity.

For further information dr. Guðmundur Óli Hreggviðsson.

On 25 March, a lecture was given on the EcoFishMan project, which deals with a new approach to fisheries management in the EU. Dr. Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís, delivered the speech. The meeting was part of a series of meetings of the Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland - Europe: Conversations with scholars.

The European Union expects the EcoFishMan project to develop a new methodology that will be useful in changing and reforming its fisheries management system. Emphasis is placed on co-operation with fishermen, fishing and processing and on the utilization of information from electronic catch diaries. The aim of the project is to promote environmentally friendly, sustainable and economic management with a special emphasis on traceability and to minimize discards. 

The project is interdisciplinary and uses information on ecological, social, economic and administrative aspects. The EcoFishMan project involves a total of 13 institutions, companies and universities in eight European countries, including the University of Iceland and the University of Tromsø in Norway. The project is expected to cost 3.7 million euros over three years and the EU's grant is 3.0 million euros.

Dr. Anna Kristín Daníelsdóttir, division manager at Matís, is the project manager and dr. Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís, is with her on the project's scientific committee.

March 25. 2011, from 12 pm-13pm.
Lögberg, room 101.

EcoFishMan: A new approach to fishery management in the EU

Dr. Sveinn Margeirsson, director of Matís

The aim of the EcoFishMan project is to develop and contribute to the implementation of a new integrated fisheries management system in Europe based on increased stakeholder involvement: An ecosystem-based sustainable management system under a precautionary framework that will define maximum acceptable negative impact, target elimination of discards and maintain economic and social viability.

 EcoFishMan is an interdisciplinary project which uses information based on ecological, sociological, economic and management factors. Thirteen institutions, companies and universities from eight different countries participate in the project, among which are the University of Tromsø and the University of Iceland. The allocated budget is 3.7 million euros over three years of which the EU allocates 3.0 million euros.

Dr. Anna Kristín Daníelsdóttir, project manager, and dr. Sveinn Margeirsson, director of Matís, are members of the project's scientific board.