Policy recommendations

7.2 Policy recommendations

As shown in chapter six, although the policies in the studied four countries have some common features they are also quite different, i.e. two of the participating countries are EU- members, two are not. Giving policy recommendation valid for all Nordic countries is therefore a demanding task. We will however like to address some issue which might be feasible in the context of promoting rural businesses serving food.

 The policy should not only encourage restaurant and food producers to co-operate but to view the whole experience production chain (galleries, shops etc). It seems that most regional policies are primarily aimed at promoting the destination. To have a broader scope will make it easier to attract guests and helps build an infrastructure of complementary services.

 Reliance on local values can be used to create a story of the place and develop the place as a destination. These stories are often what attract customers. Thus, measures

directed towards building the feeling of belonginess and pride of being a member of the community, as well as efforts directed towards creation of stories of the places can result in more joint efforts towards attracting customers, but implicitly also in increasing local competitiveness of the community. In addition one will improve the awareness of local specialties and local cooperation between the different actors.

 Some of the restaurants have brought up the issue of non-consistent quality level of the supplies as one of the limitations. Improving this situation would result in HQRs

using more local materials/supplies thus giving more money back to the region. Thus, measures assuring more training for the suppliers or more cooperation in networks between suppliers & restaurants could lead to improvement and more consistent quality of the supplies.

 One can also train the restaurant entrepreneurs. There is currently a lack of specific business training for chef or restaurant entrepreneurs. This could be a training

including knowledge on food identities and culture, experience production, experience value chains and creation of viable business models.

 Several local producers were concerned because of the low volumes and relatively high transportation costs. They were satisfied with the cooperation with HQRs since it

contributed to their image as high quality suppliers. A solution to the problem of low volumes and high transportation costs as well as raise of the awareness could be a showcase for experience industry of the regions for instance in the capital area. The Regional Councils could take an initiative and establish a ―Centre for Region NN‖ nearby the main railway station and/or airport where the supply of the region would be widely introduced and demonstrated. This centre should contain proper facilities for storing and selling foodstuff. The producers in the region could take advantage of common transportation and they could produce larger volumes. Event organizers could benefit from improved consciousness and HQRs would get larger customer base when the amounts of participants in different events would increase.

 One of the concerns and challenges in HQRs is to find such personnel who have skills and knowledge of handling of different raw materials and preparing of traditional

food. Thus it is recommended that different characteristics and methods in preparing and using local ingredients in food production should be included in curriculum in vocational training institutes.

 One can further promote the food supply chain level. We have interesting examples from the case firms where policy has mattered for local cooperation (Charms of

Saima, Arctic Menu, and Matur úr héraði). Such policies are important to promote innovation and variability in the local food supply chain. Important to involve large as well as small producers. Could these ideas be magnified to the Nordic level and will it

be possible to establish a New Nordic Food label?  In policy programs for experience industry and tourism more emphasis and direct

measures could be allocated to the role of HQRs as part of the local service infrastructure.