# Local Businesses Boosted by European Region of Gastronomy Award

> A summary of the benefits and outcomes of the European Region of Gastronomy Award granted to North Savo for 2020–2021.

## The Local Food Gift Challenge
The international Local Food Gift Challenge inspired many businesses in North Savo to design food gifts, five of which earned international prizes. Over the two-year period, a total of 30 companies and 50 products competed in the challenge.

These products are sold at locations including:
* Koivumäki Manor
* Puijo Lodge
* Tullintupa (local food store in Kuopio’s market hall)

The European Food Gift Challenge, the first of its kind in history, was organized as part of the Gastro Business project in September 2020 to promote local food and food-related gifts.

## Testimonial: Hiekkala Farm
"As a whole, the ERG project was a positive experience for me and the activities and results were in line with my expectations. I am a farmer in the beginning of the product development process focusing on biodynamic production of fruits and processed fruits.

Especially the high quality food development sparring that was both, concrete and effective provided during the Local Food Gift Challenge deserves special thanks. Partly as a result of this process, jams and syrups forming the Pohjolan Hedelmä product family got their final touches and the packages their new distinctive visual design. The pop up sales events organised by the project team were a concrete help in the introduction and sale of the products to consumers in the region.

Encouraged by the project, our company is ready to take the next steps, even relatively ambitious ones, in further processing of organic fruits independently, as well as with the help of other similar supportive projects."

— Panu Hiekkala, Hiekkala farm

## Project Collaboration and Impact
Savonia, ProAgria/Rural Women’s Advisory Organization Eastern Finland, Development Corporation SavoGrow, Savo Municipal Federation of Education, Service Sector College PAOK, and Upper Savo Vocational College participated in a multitude of projects surrounding the ERG Award. Over the past two years, these initiatives have provided a significant boost to the food culture of North Savo and increased awareness of local raw materials.

## UN Sustainable Development Goals
The project contributed to the goal of doubling agricultural productivity and income for small producers by 2030 by guaranteeing access to information, markets, and value creation opportunities.