Workshop on the sustainable food systems of the future in Halland and Jämtland
On 20 March 2025, around fifteen actors from business, academia and the public sector gathered in Falkenberg for a workshop within the framework of the research project Enhancing Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas through Local Food Systems.
The focus during the workshop was on exchanging experiences about food systems, entrepreneurship and place development – with a particular interest in lessons learned from Jämtland.
Researchers Wilhelm Skoglund (Mid Sweden University) and Emma Björner (University of Gothenburg) presented results from a recent survey study on small-scale food companies in Jämtland. The discussion revolved around the companies' strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, as well as their driving forces, sales and marketing. Digital presence and public procurement through the Dynamic Purchasing System (DIS) were also highlighted.
The participants – representatives from Halland's Food Guild, Region Halland, Halmstad University and several local food companies – reflected on how the results reflect the situation in Halland. Among other things, Halland's successes as a food county, the importance of collaboration and the need for national leadership and a powerful food strategy were highlighted.
Particular attention was paid to challenges such as logistics, farm sales and tax conditions for small producers. At the same time, the importance of strengthening local self-sufficiency and creating better conditions for small actors to participate in public meal systems was emphasized.