Welcome

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Finland

Finland is the northernmost country to practice versatile agriculture, farming and food production techniques. Our long summer days and arctic midnight sun enhance the unique taste of grain, berries, vegetables, herbs and other ingredients. Northern cold climate allows farmers to use far less chemical pesticides than in most countries. Sustainability, environmental safety and health of all citizens are in the core of constant development in Finland.
Finland was the first country in the world to serve free school meals, and it is a world leader in nutritional expertise. Finnish food education is integrated into the early childhood education plan. During the comprehensive school children learn the basics about the Finnish food culture and food education. School meals and food education are defined in the comprehensive school curriculum. Every school makes an action plan for food education individually taking into acount health, nutrition and behavioural education.

City of Seinäjoki

Seinäjoki is one of the top growth centers in Finland and the center of the province of Southern Ostrobothnia, which is growing and developing rapidly. There are already more than 60,000 inhabitants and 140,000 inhabitants in the urban area. As the center of Finland's sixth largest market area, the city also offers very competitive and attractive trade services. The dynamic and developing Seinäjoki offers for companies a competitive business environment. There is a high concentration of food business companies and a strong network of researchers and developers in the Seinäjoki area.

Food Business in Seinäjoki

There is a high concentration of food business companies and a strong network of researchers and developers in the Seinäjoki area. Effect on the regional GDP is relatively higher than elsewhere in Finland: agriculture and food industry together, comprises 15 % (Finland average 9 %) of the total GDP of the region. 20 % of Finnish food industry is located in South Ostrobothnia when measured by turnover. Almost 30 % of Finnish agrotechnology companies and food sector machine construction is located in South Ostrobothnia. Area's specialication is in product R & D services, research facilities and equipment, development and testing platforms, user networks and business support services.

In this project we want to achieve strong cooperation for mutual learning and inspriration about the challenges of the food system transformation and the way other cities in Europe are facing this challenge

The Seinäjoki pilot

The Seinäjoki pilot implements themes; nutrition for a sustainable and healthy diet and community innovation and empowerment. The pilot is linked to the Healthy Kids of Seinäjoki concept, where the activities aim to promote the health and well-being of children and young people. In the framework of Cities2030 we will continue to expand the Healthy Kids of Seinäjoki living lab that connects different stakeholders. Our aim is to develop and enforce principles of engagement children, but also public actors and the private sector actors that produce food and beverages, to identify the incentives and disincentives that encourage actors across food supply chains and food environments to protect, promote and support healthy diets for children and adolescents. Also to research priorities and information gaps related to what children and adolescents eat and prefer, how they make their food choices, in addition to documenting better practices and lessons learned promoted by children themselves.

Seinäjoki focus areas:

• Living Lab Restaurant
• Healthy Snack Box
• Food Business Club
• Educational workshops
• Community supported agriculture / school gardens
• Reducing the environmental impact of food, waste management
• Innovative public procurement
• New business models

Nutrition for a sustainable and healthy diet:

• Living Lab Restaurant
• Healthy Snack Box
• Food Business Club
• Educational workshops

Community innovation and empowerment:

• Community supported agriculture / school gardens
• Reducing the environmental impact of food, waste management
• Innovative public procurement
• New business models

HEALTHY KIDS OF SEINÄJOKI MODEL

Seinäjoki has become a model city in the fight against childhood obesity, with results that have attracted international attention.

• Nearly 50% reduction in obesity over a period of five years (2011- 2015)
• Consistent work on obesity prevention among children has led to significant results
• The model focuses on the holistic wellbeing of children, through increased activity and sports during normal schools days, and attention on healthy nutrition and lifestyle
• Systematic implementation of the “Schools on the Move” programme in all schools in Seinäjoki
• A huge international interest towards the “Seinäjoki Miracle”

For more information:
Elina Koivisto, Into Seinäjoki
Terhi Välisalo, ProAgria
Cities2030 Project managers