Estonian Rural Network Unit organized a study-trip to Gotland about local food for Estonian regional food inspectors during 7-9th May 2013. In Gotland, we were warmly welcomed by Riina Noodapera who is a second generation Estonian in Sweden, and since this year, she is the Estonian honorary consul in Gotland. Riina works as a rural economy consulate in Rural Economy Association of Gotland.
The study-trip involved visits to see different enterprises and meetings with two food inspectors from Gotland. The inspectors presented the overall characteristics of food control in Gotland, and answered the questions of Estonian colleagues.
The participants of study-trip visited community kitchen managed by Rural Economy Association of Gotland (the idea of establishing community kitchens in Estonia came originally from Gotland), Stavfa dairy, and farm of Ejmunds that breeds bovines and sells them. The most memorable part of study-trip was the numerous boutiques – farm markets that were really tiny in some cases.
It was interesting that sheep breeders deep freeze the lamb products, and park the sheepskin so that one of the income source could be selling sheepskins. At the same time – the production of good quality sheepskin needs great cooperation and successful network.
It was impressive to meet candy maker Ann-Charlotte from Näri village and the vegetable farm of Mickelgards that produces innovative dried soup-mixtures. A local rural woman association was presented in Gothem, who started to organize social evenings with coffee drinking six years ago, and since that they are eager to open their own farm market.
Thus inspectors like to have real experiences, it was interesting to see small slaughter house of Lärbrö Källstäde which is lead by two active young farmers. They also visited two bakeries – bakery of Sylvi daughters on Farö island, and Piase bakery in Sanda.
Riina gave us lots of intriguing information. For example all the participants had the opportunity to learn more about the implementation of European Union quality schemas in Sweden. Six Swedish products have received the EU quality mark, but currently in Estonia there are none. Sweden has a clear vision that in 2018 the number of products with EU quality mark has tripled. Similarly to Estonia, the knowledge about these marks is relatively low in Sweden. According to the results of questionnaire conducted in 2012, only 6-7% of Estonians know the quality marks.
Riina presented also the Culinary Heritage project – since now 25 different areas around the Baltic Sea have joined it, but there are no members from Estonia and Finland. More information about the project can be found here www.culinary-heritage.com.
It was a great pleasure to hear that Gotland was nominated as the culinary capital of Sweden in 2013. If asking tourists what are the first associations with Sweden, then food takes only just the 10th place of this list, but it is a sphere to be improved. At the same time, even only Gotland has lot of specialities to offer: lamb, truffles, damsons and sand leek, turbot, flatfish, asparagus. In addition Riina gave a short overview about Swedish advisory systems, and different cooperation network of local food of Gotland.
Comments of study-trip participants (representatives of food networks)
Kristi Lõhmus, Food network OTT of Viljandi county
The study-trip was very useful for the development of our food network and producers. The biggest lesson was that if you want to do something successful then don’t be afraid to make a start, use all your passion, talk to people, to search different opportunities, don’t be afraid to ask questions and just be yourself!
I got also confirmation that you can’t do all at once but you have to act smart.
Nele Tamm, Sepa Ecological farm in Pärnu county
The study-trip with Veterinary- and Food Board inspectors helped to clear the whole picture. It was interesting to observe which the aspects were that inspectors were most keen of and how did they react to things they heard and saw. We visited numerous small-enterprises. The biggest personal impression for me was the bankrupted dairy that had made very capacious investments. Everything was proper and even luxurious (a fancy chandelier won’t assure the profitability), but the main factors were not fulfilled. The whole marketing sector was unplanned, and the only alternative was to rent the enterprise. This experience showed how important it is to continue with step-by-step development, and to rethink every decision.
Margus Paalo, LAG Partnership of North-East Coast
It is important to involve the inspectors of Veterinary and Food Board to different food- and tourism events. My message to local people who are dealing with local food is to explain our goals to Veterinary and Food Board inspectors. It helps to gain experiences and to use them while realizing our aims. I liked also the mind emphasis of Gotland people – it promotes self-dependent marketing, although it might seem that it has too little scale or it won’t even make impact to others. A fact that freshly frozen lamb can taste better than the fresh lamb was proved. And you can’t even compare the selling conditions. My favourite enterprise was the “leather business” which requires very big network and active cooperation – even bigger than you and I might think. It is necessary to have and retain tight cooperation ties to meet the interest of local area.
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Estonian National CAP Network 
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