For many regions, developing, managing and gaining visibility for their local products and services, as well as their local food producers and processors, is a major challenge. The creation of a collective brand like Taste Laško promotes and connects rural development with local products. The brand system connects local farms/producers with enterprises and provides direct distribution channels from farm to fork or from field to plate.
Main results / outcomes
STIK Laško together with the Municipality of Laško, KGZ unit Laško and Thermana Laško connects local producers, coordinates activities (Day of open door), promotes (social media) and sells the offer certified with the Taste Laško brand in its outlets. By organising trainings and events, the connection between the producers themselves and the consumers is further strengthened. The Taste Laško brand is well accepted by the local population, which is reflected in the increase in the purchase of local products by restaurants, households, public institutions and the local market. The brand is also well received by local farmers/businesses, who see it as an opportunity to improve their economic situation and of the local community.
Practical recommendations
The added value of the initiative lies in the possibility of increasing the choice of better quality, safer food, local dishes, products and services, which can be scaled-up by extending the certification of the offer to additional experiences and events, etc. The members of the Taste Laško network are committed to take part in strategic development, innovative ways of transferring knowledge,
experience and skills, research activities and tenders. A dedicated team can replicate the Taste Laško brand and its core idea in other countries and other environments.
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