Sitra’s Food and Nutrition Programme ERA unites actors in the foodstuff sector

The target: an efficient cluster in the field of nutrition

The first stage of Sitra’s Food and Nutrition Programme ERA was completed at the end of January 2006. About 30 significant actors from the food industry participated in the strategy process that lasted six months. These participants represented food companies, traders, key research institutes and the public sector.

Goals of the jointly drawn-up strategy include making Finland a forerunner in healthy nutrition, increasing Finland’s competitiveness in international markets and creating a strong cluster in Finland in the field of nutrition. The strategy and action plan for the ERA Programme will be publicised in its entirety at the industry’s annual Finnish Food Congress on 9 May 2006.

Executive Director Anu Harkki is satisfied with the work completed by the strategy group.

“The professionals representing different levels of the food chain have pooled their ideas in an excellent way. We have created a clear common will and action plan. We already have the ingredients to be a forerunner, but we can only achieve results if we work together,” says Harkki.

The strategy to improve international competitiveness is continuing with a research strategy, which will guide research in the areas most important to Finland.

Building the cluster will begin with the creation of mini-clusters. The first of these will be the Russia, coeliac and berry clusters, one of their goals being to help SMEs in these areas to internationalise.

Further information:

Anu Harkki, Executive Director, Tel. +358 9 6189 9458