FoodSHIFT2030

  • FoodSHIFT2030 - FAL Brașov

About FAL Brașov

FAL Brașov (Food Accelerator Lab Brașov) is one of the 9 labs from FoodSHIFT2030 project.

The main objective of the lab is to integrate the local producers (predominantly small-scale) into an innovative and ambitious regional food system fostering a more localised food economy and reviving the gastronomic heritage of the region.

FAL Brașov innovation focus

(1) Promoting a food system that contributes directly to the local economy. By encouraging and promoting short chains, we support direct, non-intermediate interactions between producers and consumers that provide jobs in rural areas, for the local community and contribute to the socio-economic viability of the region (through process and marketing innovation).

(2) Reviving the region’s gastronomic heritage. By identifying and promoting the local agricultural production and varieties of the Brasov region, the traditional recipes of this area and local initiatives aimed at enhancing the region’s gastronomic heritage, we want to contribute to documenting, protecting and promoting the regional gastronomic heritage.

(3) Development of food governance at the level of Brașov city. We want to contribute to and support the development of local food governance by consulting stakeholders and creating the first draft of a city-wide food strategy, by introducing chapters on agricultural production and food in the sustainable development strategies for the metropolitan area and the county of Brașov, and by analysing and proposing improvements to public policies (in particular on green public procurement in the framework of the national “Corn and Milk” programme).

(4) Raising awareness in the local community on the importance of small producers for local food resilience and educating and professionalising small producers. By educating the young population on the importance of developing local food resilience and the significant contribution of the local small producer in achieving this goal we aim to contribute to raising awareness in the local community. At the same time, we support local small producers by offering training sessions on topics such as taxation, marketing, associativity, quality schemes, etc.

(5) Raising awareness of the population and restaurant owners on reducing food waste.

FAL Brașov Innovations

Within the FAL Brașov, we supported the formation of a cooperative oriented towards the aggregation of small local producers, for better access to the market and better connection with consumers. The small producers decided to join in order to offer a more diverse range of products and to help each other in their work and grow together.

One result of the SolBun cooperative is the SolBunătăți Food Box which brings together agri-food products from local producers in the form of a weekly box delivered directly to consumers.

The concept of the “local gastronomic point” was developed to provide an alternative income for small producers. This allows them to serve tourists their dishes, made with products from their own household, according to traditional recipes, thus contributing to an authentic tourist experience.

As part of the FoodSHIFT2030 project, the FAL Brașov promoted the concept and brought stakeholders together to discuss it and find answers and solutions, which are reflected in this guide.

We are working on a guide to sustainable gastronomy, in which we present the principles of gastronomy in the Brașov region, the food habits of this area, trends and examples of good practices. The guide will be disseminated to the local community and hospitality industry representatives to encourage the consumption and use of local agro-food products.

We collaborated with Chef Mădălina Roman to make an informative video on ways to reduce food waste, inspired by the traditions of our grandparents. The recommendations can be used by each of us in our own kitchens and by professional chefs to reduce food waste in the hospitality industry.

FAL Brașov will pilot the city’s first urban garden for educational purposes. We are working with schools near the garden to provide a hands-on experience where children can learn how food is grown, and why agriculture and a healthy, sustainable diet are important.

In partnership with the Local Action Group “Ținutul Bârsei”, FAL Brașov will organise a training session for small producers on correct taxation, marketing, and association methods and three information sessions on quality schemes (especially mountain products and organic farming).

FAL Brașov participated in the analysis and proposal of public policy improvements at the city level, in particular regarding green public procurement in the framework of the national programme “Corn and Milk”. One result of this work is the implementation of green procurement conditions by the municipality, conditions that have encouraged local producers to participate in the delivery of dairy products to schools.

FAL Brașov wants to encourage and integrate food innovation into the strategic documents and plans of the 6 Local Action Groups in Brașov, which interact directly with small, local producers. Through this innovation, it also aims to create a strong urban-rural connection resulting in sustainable rural development based on the food component.

The latest and most comprehensive innovation of FAL Brașov is the first draft of the food strategy for Brașov region. The document will include information on Brasov county’s production capacity, examples of good practices and the perspectives of stakeholders consulted during the project on the local food system. The strategy will form the basis of the first food governance initiatives at city level.

Find out more about FoodShift2030 Labs