Development of food chain traceability and food safety in Northern Ostrobothnia
Food Trace - Developing the traceability and food safety of food chains in Northern Ostrobothnia The project promotes the traceability and food safety of North Ostrobothnia's food chains in cooperation with regional, national and EU-level networks. The project is led by Oulu University of Applied Sciences, and the Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia is involved as a co-implementer. The project started on 1 April 2020 and ends on 30 April 2022 and implements the smart specialisation strategy for Northern Ostrobothnia.
During the project, the value chain of North Ostrobothnia's food production will be modelled from the point of view of traceability and food safety monitoring. This will be done by piloting with two voluntary companies. It is also intended to provide information on commercial, under development and potential future technological solutions suitable for the different stages and needs of value chains. We aim to bring food companies in the region together with ICT actors, among other things, and to provide them with a discussion platform to start joint development work and find solutions.
During the operation, the project aims to improve the communication and visibility of local food produced in the region towards consumers. To do this successfully, we are actively mapping the practices reported by other provinces and regions. We find out the concepts that have worked and discuss their suitability in Northern Ostrobothnia with the companies and businesses involved. We develop the communication of origin and other product information towards retailers and restaurants and encourage them to promote locality more prominently in their offerings.
We also aim to activate the participation of food entrepreneurs operating in the region in international project activities. We encourage companies to join the EU Smart Specialisation Strategy's AgriFood theme pilot projects and other development initiatives. Through international project activities, companies have the opportunity to increase their know-how, develop new production methods and expand their international network.
The Food Footprint project, like the Region of Northern Ostrobothnia, is actively involved in various EU networks that promote the digitalisation and automation of agriculture.
Events
6 May 2021 – Technology boosts food businesses
20.1.2021 RUOKARIIHI Matchmaking
14.1.2021 Sustainability and product information visible throughout the food chain
