FISH, CCB and Race for Baltic visited BERAS Headquarters in Järna, Sweden to learn about different projects they are involved in throughout the Baltic Sea Region. Local politicians, farmers, and companies such as Saltå Kvarn, a Swedish organic food company, also showed their support for the campaign during the study visit.
Race for the Baltic visited Järna on Tuesday, June 25th 2013 where BERAS (Baltic Ecological Recycling Agriculture and Society) provided lunch to all participants. The lunch was an example of a healthy “Baltic Sea Diet”. During the lunch Daniel Dworetsky, project leader for LEADER- Södertälje Sustainable Food Society, presented different ways to save the Baltic Sea by changing farming methods and food production. Daniel also presented different ways we as consumers can lessen our impact on the Baltic Sea by:
The consumer engagement concept “Diet for a clean Baltic” is based on the following criteria:
• Food from ERA farms/ERA gardens (organic food )
• Menus with less meat (20%)
• Locally produced food
• Food from the season
• Reduction of food waste
Susanne Skånberg, VP of marketing and communications for Saltå Kvarn, also presented their interest in sustainable food consumption and how everyone is able to make conscious decisions when choosing the food they eat. Furthermore, Jostein Hertwig, Head of BERAS Secretariat, also presented what BERAS does as a whole, and the different projects they are involved in.
After lunch, everyone was invited to visit “Your 2,000 square meters” where Ida-Johanna Carlander explained how to leave a positive organic footprint. Today, if you divide the earth’s arable land with the number of people you get just about 2,000 square meters per person. However, on average, a Swede uses around 4,000 square meters based on consumption. This project showcases a local garden that is able to provide for someone with only 2,000 square meters.