Transcript Saaremaa Local Food West-Estonian Islands Partnership LAG (NGO) Sulvi Munk and Karen Allas.

Saaremaa Local Food
West-Estonian Islands Partnership LAG (NGO)
Sulvi Munk and Karen Allas
Saaremaa Facts
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Area is 2,673 km²
Population of region
35,000 inhabitants
Population of Kuressaare
(capital city) 15,000
Saaremaa Economy
In the past, the main industries of the Saaremaa economy have been
agricultural and natural resource based production, such as forestry,
fishing and food processing.
Today the most
important
industries are
tourism and craftbased production.
Saare County employed
persons from 2007´-2009
Background info about local food
20 years ago, the initial years of a re-independent
Republic of Estonia.
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citizens re-gain the right to raise farm animals and to
slaughter them for meat production;
small family farms can market their fresh milk;
It becomes common for schools and daycare centres to
collect preserves, juice and root vegetables from their families
and from small, local farms.
Background info about local food
10 years ago.
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On February 25th, 1999 the Estonian government passed new food
legislation which began the so called "Kitchen sink" period. The new
legislation was based on EU laws which made no difference between
large corporations and small businesses;
Schools and daycare centres could no longer use homemade
preserves, juices or root vegetables;
Small-scale food production on farms (meat and dairy) began to
disappear because of the need for large capital expeditures;
Non-agricultural, Small businesses develop slowly because of large
capital investment;
The emergence of large supermarket chains with imported, mass
produced processed foods greatly influences shoppers habits and
preferences.
Background info about local food
5 years ago.
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In 2004 Estonia becomes a European Union member state.
Starting from January 1st, 2006, EU workplace hygiene regulations
apply to Estonian businesses.
Attention is given to the differences between small and large
businesses in relation to food safety proceedures required for lower
risk small businesses.
EU structural fund subsidies encourage development of small-scale
businesses based in rural areas.
The strategy for building value of local products.
The aims of the LEADER program for the WestEstonian Islands Partnership LAG (NGO):.
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give access to financial subsidies that encourage investment in
concerns that serve to broaden the appeal local food products;
to intitiate or work in partnership with interested parties to promote
cooperative work and joint activities;
according to LEADER criteria, to support initiatives that use
collaborative methods to improve market access for small
producers.
Examples of supported projects for rural enterprises
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Support for traditional and nature-based businesses which promote
the development of geographic specific features - such as long
autumns and mild winters which benefit apple growing on the
island.
The building of an apple juice production facility and the
development of model apple orchards throughout Saaremaa.
Total project cost is 410,770 eur, of which 200,597 eur is covered by
EU subsidies.
Examples of training for small-scale producers
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for the purpose of providing knowledge and encouraging companies
to develop products.
Supporting Networks
Saaremaa Leader has supported cooperation
between small entrepreneurs and has funded:
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local food tasting events
farmers market days
excursions outside of Saaremaa to
learn and share experiences
Supporting Networks
"Good Practice" as a LEADER theme.
Innovation and co-production for small producers
 Community Kitchens - investment subsidies to create 7 cooperative
kitchens in rural village facilities.
 The goal of creating favorable conditions for small businesses and
for the development of small-scale food processing.
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These kitchens are to
be well equipped and
certified to enable
producers to market
products that conform
to all regulations.
Total project cost is 146,157 eur, of which 122,958 eur is covered by
EU subsidies.
Support of rural business
Support of an organic grains product development centre which serves
to increase and promote the processing of cereal grains through good
product development practices.
Total project cost is 48,269 eur, of which 43,442 eur is covered by EU
subsidies.
Emerging issues / lessons learned
Many issues and difficulties have arose.
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Are there enough products to satisfy the demand? What is the
image that we need for marketing ourselves?
Conforming to European Union regulations is very difficult for a
small producer, especially for meat & dairy products.
Often there is a lack of knowledge and confidence amongst
producers and itis difficult to find good partners.
Local food needs to be used more in schools, daycare centres and in
care facilities. This would be good improving rural employment
opportunities.
The Saaremaa Brand
The brand was created in 2010, with an easily recognizable symbol
that has been used to market products, services and the region.
Saaremaa Local Food
Thank you for listening!