The promotion of local foods aims to build a local and sustainable food economy. This includes food production, processing, distribution and consumption. It is believed that the development of local foods will strengthen the relevant places or areas economically, environmentally and socially. They also provide an opportunity for a closer connection between producers and consumers.
The meaning given to people in the concept of local foods varies. Usually, however, the definition includes the ideology that foods are of better quality and taste better because they are fresher and at the "best age" when they fall into the hands of consumers. Manufacturers also use materials or other methods to increase their shelf life, as these products have to travel less than traditional products available in stores. Another goal of local foods is to preserve and revive local food traditions, promote the cultivation of diverse crops to reduce the use of pesticides, fertilizers and waste generation. This will also strengthen local economies by strengthening small farms, local jobs and shops.
Food tourism is often associated with city trips, high-class restaurants and so-called "food countries". It is therefore a challenge to establish food tourism in rural Iceland. In recent years, several organizations have been established to promote the production and supply of local food, both nationwide and regionally.
There are three main organizations in the country; Directly from the farm, Lifandi landbúnaður and Matur-Saga-Menning, all of which aim to stimulate food culture in Iceland, among other things by strengthening the production of food from local ingredients and promoting the preservation of traditional production methods and cuisine. There has also been some revival in recent years among raw material producers and tourism operators in Iceland, about the importance of food in the tourist experience and the added value that is gained through the processing and sale of raw materials in the region. Stakeholders in many areas have partnered to work together to define and build food tourism and to support the production of local foods. Examples of such collaborations are Matur úr héraði, Matarkistan Skagafjörður, Þingeyska matarbúrið, Austurlamb, Suðurland taste the best and Ríki Vatnajökull. Preparations for such co-operation have also begun in West Iceland and the Westfjords. Today, therefore, the network, and the development of knowledge regarding opportunities in food tourism, has become quite dense. In addition to the support provided by such co-operation, work is now underway on the development of a comprehensive product development hotel in Hornafjörður. This is a systematic attempt to encourage innovation in small-scale food production in the country.
Þóra Valsdóttir food scientist, project manager at Matís.
The article was published in Fréttablaðið on 2 October.