And interest in short-distance and local food is increasing. So far this year, Norwegians have spent NOK 11.8 billion on local producers, according to a report from the Norwegian Food Foundation. This is an increase of 15.1 per cent compared to the previous time period. The biggest increase has come in large-scale events and direct sales, such as at Bondens Marked. This year marks 20 years since the first market where farmers and small-scale producers lined up to sell meat, cheese and jam. – In the beginning, it was often those most interested in food and the slightly older who shopped at Bondens Marked. But now it’s far more mixed, and at all ages, says Kristine Grønner Ohnstad at Haugen gardsmat, who is also chairman of the board at Bondens Marked Oslo. Kristine Grønner Ohnstad at Haugen gardsmat, who is also chairman of Bondens Marked Oslo, together with Minister of Agriculture Geir Pollestad (Sp). Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news One of those who shopped at the market was Karianne Gryti. She thinks it’s nice to be able to help support local producers. – I think the food tastes better and has better quality. For me, it is important to be able to eat clean and short-travelled food, she says. For me, it is important to be able to eat clean and short-travelled food, says Karianne Gryti (left). Photo: ISMAIL BURAK AKKAN / news Buy and sell local food Farmer’s Market: Market where you can buy food and products directly from the farmer. Independent sales channel and a low-threshold offer for local food producers. Was established in 2003 by the Norwegian Agricultural Cooperative, the Norwegian Farmers’ Association, the Norwegian Farmers’ and Small Farmers’ Association, Hanan and Oikos – Organic Norway to promote sustainable food production and short-travel food. The Farmer’s Market is currently organized in around 20 different locations across the country. The REKO ring Sales channel for local food where customers pre-order goods on Facebook. The goods will be delivered at the ring’s announced delivery location, date and time. REKO stands for fair consumption. In 2013, Finnish Thomas Snellman came up with the idea of selling food products without intermediaries, where the producer himself is responsible for production and sale, and receives the entire sale price. Established in Norway in 2017 with the Norwegian Association of Farmers and Smallholders as cooperation partners and coordinator. Today, there are a total of over 140 rings all over the country. Source: Bondens Marked and REKO Norge – Many of the people who shop with us are regular customers, who come back because they want special products, says Lars Ola Marken at Løiten deer farm, while browning onions and frying home-made burgers and sausages. A few meters away Izabella Szekely hands out samples of the lefsen she sells in the booth for Good and homemade. She also has many regular customers who come to buy Christmas baking. – Everyone must have lefs for Christmas. It goes best with sugar and cinnamon, but many also like those with brown cheese or sour cream. And then there are some who buy mashed potatoes to eat with grilled fish and cured meats at Christmas, says Szekely. Increases despite stronger economy Price rises and interest rate increases have meant that many people have to turn their backs on the kroner. But despite economic downturns, we leave more money with local producers. One of those that is seeing an increase is Skott gård, which offers, among other things, plum mulled wine, juice and jam. Farmer Atle Tærum thinks the farmers at the market have had a sober price rise. – We have not added as much to the prices as the chains. We are not economists. We are agronomists. Several of his products can today be found in restaurants and bars in Norway. Tærum believes it is important that farmers dare to bet on niche products. – We must use the opportunities we have and focus on our niche. Not everyone can engage in meat and milk production. We need a more varied agriculture. He himself has made an olive substitute with pickled plums which he sells on the market. Encourages to give food as a gift One of those hunting for goodies at the Farmer’s Market this day is Agriculture and Food Minister Geir Pollestad (Sp). – The production and sale of local food has a lot to say for Norwegian agriculture. We see that the farmers have become more professional, and have gained better skills over the years. They are competitors in a market like this, but also support each other and make each other better, he says. He will find a Christmas present to give to the prime minister during the government conference later in the day. He is making a move to give food as a Christmas gift this year. – It’s a gift that goes well with those who have everything from before. And then it is a craft product and a quality product that makes you appreciate the food more. It also leads to less food waste and increased utilization of resources. And if you think it will be too expensive to buy Christmas presents, it is entirely possible to make the food presents yourself. – You can make something yourself, such as baking cookies or making jam. A gift of food is a gift with consideration, says Pollestad. You can find suggestions and ideas for Christmas gifts that you can eat at news.no/mat.
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Local food makes good Christmas gifts, says Agriculture Minister Geir Pollestad – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
