Reframe. Progress towards a regional food frame
New skills for food related SMEs and other stakeholders within a RFF
Working towards a durable transnational training and learning network Reframe has build regional networks, identified and described best practices, developed new smart specialization strategies, shared these in their networks and took steps to make them available online in the Reframe Online Reference Center.
Especially inspiring networks are the Ketentafel Voedsel in the Groningen region, the Regional Food Innovation Factory in the Westerkwartier region. Examples of identified best practices are the Restjesfabriek, the Lousbergmarkt in Flanders, Lekker Oost Vlaams and 100% West Vlaams in Flanders. In Germany, Sweden and Denmark in this reporting period particular attention was given in reaching out to SMEs both through online, social and traditional media.
Regional organisation in a cooperative structure
Reframe works towards cooperation and other arrangements between regional suppliers and large scale consumers to provide a sizable regional B2B food market. Reframe works on cooperation in logistics in the Swedish Food Hub network and a Food Hub network in the Groningen region, inspired by the Swedish example. Reframe in Flanders and Sweden stimulates large scale distributors to include more regional suppliers. In Denmark island provide an ideal social and cultural background for better cooperation, on this basis a strong network has been founded. In Germany a cooperative arrangement for innovation and food production was realized between a large scale consumer and a local producer.
Policy decision taking on urban food policies and intentions
Reframe stimulates large scale urban consumers (public & corporate) to express their intentions for regional sourcing, to cooperate with regional suppliers and thus foster a regional innovative food frame. This was realized for instance in Groningen where the municipality adjusted its procurement strategy in such a way that it enables more food related SMEs to participate. In Flanders talks with a large catering organization, an auction house and food processing company should lead to the participation of more food related SMEs. In Germany the Diakonisches Werk is taking steps to procure more food-related products from regional SMEs. In Sweden Reframe stimulated a supermarket chain to include more products from regional SMEs in their product assortment.
Business innovation through smart specialisation
Reframe helps food related SMEs to find and develop smart specialisation options, and to fullfill a role in a regional supply proposition. Thus Reframe has developed 14 smart specialisations and support measures.
Especially inspiring is the Swedish example where 300 registered SMEs can be seen as a form of "Regional Supply Proposition" also their concept "Taste of West Sweden". Through LPIV the regional supply of the 300 SMEs is marketed via their website, at mini fairs, inspirational activities, in sales binders etc. LPIVs knowledge about the regional demand is shared with the SMEs via activities such as counselling and seminars.
Create data and understanding of current supply and demand
Reframe helps stakeholders to gain insight in the regional food supply and demand. This insight makes visible the (mis)matches between both.
Where no existing data was available and where there was no other basis for insight in regional supply and demand, data was collected through 'mapping'. Extense work on mapping was done in Denmark and in the Westerkwartier region. In other regions mismatches were already visible and enable Reframe to take targetted action to match regional demand and supply.