A total of 14 LAGs, led by the Dutch LAG 'Zuid Twente', from 7 Member States cooperate to exchange best practice examples of production, marketing, distribution and inter-regional trading of local / regional food products between partner countries

Regional products are sold by an increasing number of farms and it has become an important source of their income. The marketing of these products has improved tremendously. Partners therefore share an interest in learning from each other how they organize the marketing of regional products and how it can contribute to substantial farm income. In addition the partnership will consider sustainable approaches to regional product development and to trading of these products in each other’s regions.

The project’s overall objective is to discuss among professionals the best ways to promote short supply chains for local food across Europe, with particular consideration being given to aspects of quality product development, product sector organisation and improvement of sales. Further objectives include the identification of better links between agriculture and tourism, thus aiming for integrated promotion of food and tourism at European level.

The LAGs facilitate exchanges among producers interested to learn about production and marketing techniques. In addition, four international food markets will be held in France, French Guyana, Hungary and Poland. First events will take place in Le Puy en Velay (10-12 May 2012) & French Guyana (Dec 2012). Producers from the partner LAGs will have opportunity to sell their products on existing local markets, to promote their different regional areas and to raise awareness about the project itself.