Bra Mat

In recent years the focus on locally produced foods hasincreased. This can be seen in the increased awareness of different consumer groups. The issues at hand are often connected to health, environment and sustainability. Locally produced food is considered healthier, having less environmental impact, and being a more sustainable alternative when compared to food produced via conventional farming practices with long transport distances. Bra Mat i Västnyland's aim is to create networks to facilitate a more effective production of local foods, stimulate product development of local foods and improve the distribution of local foods in the region. The network consists of local stakeholders, from the primary food producers to the consumers of locally produced food. Bra Mat i Västnyland studies the environmental impacts of locally produced foods via ecosystem services connected to landscapes where local food networks (slow-food networks) are situated. Ecosystem services are material and non-material services that functioning ecosystems offer for free. These include circulation of nutrients, and water purification, but also wild foods, climate control, and the cultural identity connected to a landscape. The project researcher Pieter Deleu will compare ecosystem services within the agricultural landscape connected to slow-food networks both in Raseborg and in other European countries.

For more information, contact Ann-Louise Erlund (project leader) or Jenny Öhman (project
assistant)

Bra Mat projects website (in swedish)