Half a year after the launch of the EU funding program, the four consortia of the joint project can draw a positive initial balance. The EU-funded information campaign of the initiators South Tyrolean Apple Consortium, Consortium Stilfser Käse, South Tyrolean Bacon Consortium and Consortium South Tyrolean wine has set itself the goal of informing consumers and professionals from trade and gastronomy about EU-protected geographical indication (PGI) and protected designation of origin (PDO).
These titles are given to agricultural products and foodstuffs that are closely linked to their region of origin, craft traditions and the people who produce them. And this also applies to the four South Tyrolean food stuffs that are the focus of the program and are exemplary of European quality.
Eduard Bernhart, Consortium South Tyrol Wine; Joachim Reinalter, Consortium Stilfser Käse; Roland Trettl, South Tyrolean top chef; Matthias Messner, South Tyrolean bacon consortium; Sabine Oberhollenzer. Image source: South Tyrolean apple consortium.
Since the beginning of the three-year funding program in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden, numerous projects have been successfully launched, their own website, advertising and social media campaigns. In November, there was a trip to South Tyrol lasting several days, intended for reporters and bloggers, giving the participants a taste of South Tyrolean wine.
The subsequent kick-off events in Munich, Amsterdam and Stockholm were another highlight: media representatives and influencers, as well as representatives from trade and gastronomy, were the guests here. As part of culinary workshops with top chefs - above all Roland Trettl in Munich - the participants received numerous information on the EU quality labels and the four foods. The focus was on the peculiarities of the controlled denomination of origin, tips and tricks for the optimal storage and preparation and the intensive exchange with the consortia. In February 2019, a similar event will follow in Milan, under the expert guidance of well-known food blogger Sonia Peronaci.
So far, more than 100 representatives of the press, bloggers, influencers and trading partners have been approached personally, and contacts have been significantly expanded. Georg Kössler, chairman of the South Tyrolean Apple Consortium, is convinced of the success of the joint project: "These results clearly show that our campaign is enthusiastically received by consumers, media representatives and trade partners. Quality insurance is becoming increasingly important to consumers, as it provides orientation, reliability and security That is exactly where our campaign starts."
Herbert Dorfmann, Member of the European Parliament, Member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and President of the European Parliamentary Group on Wine, Spirits and Quality Food adds: "I have always been a great supporter of these campaigns and I am very pleased that our South Tyrolean quality products have been considered as excellent examples in European funding programs for many years."
In the coming spring there will be many different events as well. For the trade in Germany and Italy there will be numerous tasting days with South Tyrolean apple g.g.A., South Tyrolean Speck g.g.A. and Stilfser Käse. In addition to these, seminars are planned to train prospective wine professionals.
Furthermore, the campaign also relies on cooperation with influencers. That is why several food and wine bloggers have had the opportunity to get to know the four products with the EU seal of quality and to convince themselves of the traditional and controlled production methods during study trips to South Tyrol.
Source: Südtiroler Apfelkonsortium