LOCAL FOOD

The unemployment and low income in the eastern part of the Latvian-Lithuanian border have made it necessary to promote the concept of self-employment. As a new initiative, the LOCAL FOOD project was launched to boost the production and marketing of local food. The project was implemented in the framework of the Interreg 2014-2020 programme for the border region and concrete activities took place between 2018 and 2021.

In order to produce and market local products of the proper quality, a local product promotion scheme was set up to help with the production, promotion, delivery and marketing of food produce. Technical training and consultations were organised to promote local product production, while local product competitions and promotional festivals were organised to promote marketing. The project also involved restaurants, which offered different menus using available local products. These dishes were also put to the test.

In addition, the project has also facilitated the successful marketing of local products through the purchase of food vans, mobile kiosks and packaging equipment.