New Food Innovation Centre (FIC) at Fludir becomes a reality
Since 2010, preparation work has been carried out on the development of this new Food Innovation Centre. Matis now runs eight workshops outside the headquarters in Reykjavik which are located in various parts of Iceland including Hofn at Hornafjordur and Egilsstadir which have been very successful.
This new Centre is located at the very heart of Iceland's vegetable production area in Southern-Iceland and will focus on cooperation in projects in that field. The Municipalities in upper Arnesskysla are the primary foundation partners of the workshop along with Matís, the Development Centre of South Iceland and the University community of the area. Last but not least, the project is implemented with good will and support from gardeners in the region.
At the end of 2010, premises for the new Centre were found at Idjuslod 1, Fludir. The furnishing was finish in May 2011 and the Centre was opened formally that month. As in other centres run by Matis the intention is to offer interested people who intend to develop small scale production of food in the area to a marketable product facilities, training and advice. In this area the major emphasis is on growing vegetables and grains, but about 80% of the total vegetable production comes from Southern-Iceland. It is clear that great developmental and innovation potentials are in this production, for example regarding utilization of products in conventional vegetable production and vegetables that are not sold, for example, during production peaks, and further during the autumn season. It is therefore important to develop preservation methods for vegetables such as freezing, drying, canning, and so on.
In addition to working on various projects related to horticulture, the Centre will assist all parties who want to develop production for direct sale local. Being one of the most powerful vegetable production areas is it is also one of the most visited tourist area of the country. It looks like Matis can support residents in the province to take advantage of opportunities for direct sales even further. Moreover, the aim is to promote training courses and training among vegetable producers and thereby strengthen the recruitment industry. The idea is to offer training courses at a university level in the processing of vegetables and appeal to college students doing their final projects at Fludir. Then there are ideas to integrate various cultural factors into the educational role of the Centre.
The Centre'sManager is Vilberg Tryggvason.
Matís ltd. / Food Innovation Centre at Fludir
Idjuslod 1a
845 Fludir
Phone +354 422 5133
GSM +354 858 5133
E-mail: vilberg.tryggvason(at)matis.is.
