The Leader groups of South Ostrobothnia (Aisapari, Kuusdaan, Liiveri and Suupohja) share the concerns of the region's small producers regarding the food supply arrangements for the upcoming summer Farmari agricultural exhibition, which excludes the possibility of small producers selling food portions during the event.
-In our development strategies, we are committed to supporting small businesses in rural areas in particular, improving producers' sales opportunities and promoting consumer awareness of local food. A major national event in our own province would be the best showcase for companies operating with small marketing budgets, say Executive Directors Mervi Niemi-Huhdanpää, Paula Erkkilä, Sinikka Koivumäki and Paavo Mattila.
They believe that the region's producers are also ready for new forms of collaboration at events. The ecological choice of using local food will improve the visitor experience for those attending the event.
-In our experience, the demand for food from small producers at various events is constantly growing, and sometimes it can be a springboard for not only sales but also for getting onto store shelves and also into the public's awareness through the media, the executive directors state.