Food Province – Creating Food for Life
Project 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
FOOD PROVINCE – Creating Food for Life
Innovation
Business
Agriculture
Consumer /
individual
wellbeing
developing,
projects,
actions,
new
business,
jobs etc.
FOODPROVINCE PREMIUM 2013
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.
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 highquality 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.