The use and implementation of Geographical Indications (GI) is a wellestablished practice in most EU countries. Previous studies show thatthe use of PDOs and PGIs is directly related to previous experiencesas well as the relative importance of the agro-food sector in a country'seconomy. In the case of Sweden, the agro-food sector has beenoriented towards continuous structural rationalization since at least the1930's. However, the transformation pressure exerted by a risingcompetitive level in the market, that emanates both from global aswell as regional European sources led to the adoption of newstrategies. These strategies entail the on-farm elaboration of farmproduce, the diversification of activities as well as the use ofcertification schemes. In the case of Kalixlöjrom, the strategy selectedwas the adoption of a PDO, as a way of entering a valorisation processfor export purposes as well as defending the product against dislojalcompetition of products with less quality. As this is the firstexperience with a PDO in Sweden, the case of Kalixlöjrom caviaroffers a rare opportunity to understand the actual problems inimplementing a policy tool developed by Southern European countriesin a country like Sweden. Thus the article highlights the institutionaland structural shortcomings discovered in this process and offers newknowledge and reflections valuable for the future adaptation andimplementation of previously unknown policy instruments

Over the last decades a great effort for rural development policies in Sweden has been to find windows of opportunity for the future, to promote new types of enterprises, to support farm and firm diversification, to identify novel business models and in general promote growth. But while many concrete measures have focused on lowering the entry barriers to the market and support the supply side of the rural economy, a glimpse on the emerging technological paradigm, e.g. internet based development and social technologies, indicates that new solutions are possible. In this article we address the following question: Can Alternative Food Networks (AFNs) in combination with social technologies promote rural entrepreneurship and economic growth?   

This article highlights the outcomes of the implementation of the New Culinary Country program implemented in to facilitate and speed up the emergence of the new rurality in Sweden. Based on results from focus groups and one group interview conducted in eight landscapes/counties during 2013 and a state initiated evaluation of the NCCP, the study answers the following questions: What does the NCCP mean in terms of governance? How is power distributed and if possible, which are the consequences of this new governance regime? Which are the main challenges and opportunities of and for the NCCP? The results show that the NCCP has led to a higher degree of regional coordination of actions and resources at regional level. Cooperation and coordination in turn have proved to be the main factors behind the most successful experiences. 

The article highlights the implementation of the New Culinary Country Program (NCCP, Sverige det Nya Matlandet), implemented to speed up the emergence of a new rurality in Sweden. Based on results of focus groups and one group interview conducted in eight counties/landscapes in in 2013 and a state initiated evaluation of the NCCP, the study answers the following questions: What has been achieved by the policy change so far? Which are the main challenges and opportunities created by the NCCP so far? Results show that the NCCP has stimulated a higher degree of regional coordination of resources and stakeholders at regional level. In the succesful cases, cooperation and coordination has been the key factor behind succes.

Over the last decades a remarkable process of rural development based on the revival of local culinary heritage has been set in motion all over Sweden. In Västernorrland and Jämtland, two counties that share the same culinary heritage and history and at least in some parts, have common geographical features, the shift towards this culinary place based development has been quite different. Differences can partly be explained through institutional explanations. But as will be showed by this study, there are also important historical and other reasons behind different patterns. What was left of a once common culinary heritage has been decisive for the possibility of economic success. In this article the main emphasis is put on how the nature and character of culinary heritage influences the possibility of promoting rural development. 

This article highlights the impact of the of the hydro-power plant Alto Maipo, on a localized agri-food system (LAFS) in Cajón del Maipo (Chile). Although extensive research was done before starting the construction of Alto Maipo, the possible impact on transhumance and thereby on the ancient LAFS in the area that carries important elements of the cultural heritage and national identity has until now been neglected. Results show how an exogenous impact on the local institutions that linked landscape, people, animals and products together in the conformation of a LAFS have been disturbed through the creation of alternative income opportunities and enforced change. Current events generated alternative short term income opportunities, but also a long term negative impact on livelihoods and nature. 

This book is the result of a workshop about localized agri-food systems held at biannual conference of the International Farming Systems Association in 2010. All articles depart from the reality experienced by rural agents in Europe. Some of the main concerns of rural Europe today include institutional and cultural questions, socio-economic perspectives as well as urgent environmental topics. All of these perspectives are present in this book.

A common point of departure of most articles is small scale agriculture and/or local food production. Several of the contributions highlight the growing concerns about food freshness and food security, which are often linked to a demand for traditional cuisine. Some chapters also underline the importance of cooperation between small-scale farmers and food artisans, including their market and branding strategies. European and international branding/quality schemes, such as PDO/PGI, regional trademarks and the Ark of Taste are thoroughly analyzed and linked to the articulation of localized agri-food systems. The contributions also highlight an interesting contrast in the perception of “local” and the strategies of territorial organization used in in different parts of Europe.

Rapporten sammanfattar resultatet från åtta fokusgrupper, samt intervjuer, seminarier och en enkät som genomfördes under 2013 i syfte att  ta fram ett underlag för hur vi skall bygga gastronomiska regioner i Sverige.

Projektets huvudfrågor var: 1. Vad är gastronomiska regioner i ett svenskt sammanhang? 2. Hur skall gastronomiska regioner byggas i Sverige? 3. Vad kan satsningen heta?

På förslag från deltagarna föreslås att satsningen framgent skall heta kulinariska regioner. Dessutom föreslås en handlingsplan som bygger på fem identifierade områden, nämligen en tydlig organisation och ledarskap; framtagning av en terroiratlas på nationell och regional nivå; satsa på marknadsutveckling; att utveckla regional unikitet och särart; samt att tillämpa de sistnämnda. Projektet genomfördes på uppmaning frånLlandsbygdsdepartementet som ett samarbete mellan Lantbrukarnas Riksförbund, Restaurangakademien och Södertörns högskola.

The Argentinean wine sector experienced several over production or financial crises’ sincethe late 19th Century. Exports therefore might have been a regular option for survival, butthese have until now been neglected by researchers. In the case of Chile, exports have beenknown, but have not attracted too much interest, because very few scholars have had anyinterest in the history of the wine sector. This essay aims to make a purely empiricalcontribution with previously unknown sources about Swedish imports of wines fromArgentina and Chile. The article contains a full presentation of available primary sources onthe imports of wines from Argentina and Chile in Sweden before 1955. Even though it is notpossible to offer full answers with such a scarce material the article describes the economicwindow opened up in Sweden during the Second World War. Some of the questionsanswered are: How did the economic window in Sweden open up and close down? Howmuch wine from Argentina and Chile was imported and consumed? Which wines wereimported and consumed? Who produced these wines?

During the 1980’s collective action was initiated with the purpose of saving the remnants of traditional livestock farming in Jämtland. This led to the articulation of a local agro-food system (LAFS) that managed to commercialize important elements of traditional agriculture by adding elements of modernity. Farm diversification was an important strategy that led to the forward integration of farms that includes the start of small scale farm dairies, farm cafes, direct sales, at the farm, through markets and other local channels, B&Bs and outdoor tourism operations. In the mentioned process, foreign knowledge and experience led to the opening of a new market for traditional products. This case shows that the localization and appropriation of foreign elements can be a fruitful strategy to promote territorial development in regions like Jämtland. This article highlights how a LAFS was articulated within the frame of the birth of a new industry, composed by small, semi-artisan dairy firms and which institutional side effects that this experience has led to.

This article highlights the benefits and constraints, as well as the experiences in working with place based branding in Cantabria (Spain) and Gotland (Sweden). In Cantabria, the main tool for place based branding is the protected designation of origin (PDO) quality scheme, while in Gotland, the main common branding tool is a trademark owned by the municipality and used by all local agents that apply for it. The article highlight the different ways in which these tools have been used.  

This articla highlights the articulation of the new rurality in Sweden, exemplified by the emergence of the wine sector. Wine production became possible as a result of climate change and Sweden's EU membership that led to the abolishment of the production and wholesale monopoly. Even though wine production is an old activity in other countries, in Sweden, the establishment of wine production is an innovation and as such a reflection of rural entrepreneurship. But not everything is a saga of success. The case study shows that there are still important constraints against the further development of the sector. In this case, due to path dependency in agricultural and alcohol policy and current Swedish alcohol regulations. Some additional obstacles are the prohibition against gate sales and the inability of farms to meet the scale demands imposed by the public retail monopoly.

Kapitlet beskriver vilka utmaningar men också möjligheter som SUB-ansökan gav upphov till. Kapitlet lämnar också, utifrån erfarenheter från Europa, ett antal förslag på hur marknaden för Kalix Löjrom skulle kunna utvecklas.

Mountain agriculture emerged at the intersection of the "wild economy," which focused on hunting, fishing and gathering wild plants and the agricultural based economy that is characterized by the domestication of animals and cultivation of the soil. Like other traditional systems based on pasture, the Swedish mountain systems is based on the use of inherited traditional knowledge and mountain pastures have over centuries created a very rare and rich habitat in the form of upland hay meadows. Today, both traditional knowledge and the rich biodiversity in the mountains are endangered by the implementation of modern practices that lead to a number of conflicts that go beyond the tragedy of the commons. One important source of conflict emanates from the changing role of the countryside, a role that creates expectations on farmers to deliver recreation, magnificent landscapes, new job opportunities, operate hotels , produce, cheese, maintain a cultural heritage and contribute to the conservation of native breeds . Another problem is caused by new support systems and regulations that create incentives to intensify the exploitation of summer farms by using the pastures for modern meat cattle breeds, which changes the landscape, but also makes traditional farmers upset, because of the risk of losing the traditions of summer farms.

An additional source of conflict is created by the state’s changing attitudes towards the mountain world, as the state aims to shut down all existing (state owned) leased mountain flats (fjällägenheter) by cutting down basic infrastructure. The remaining flats are located primarily in the northern parts of Jämtland. They contribute to the maintenance of a very unique flora and insect fauna.  By comparing two cases, one in Klövsjö and one in the northern part of the region, this paper contributes with new knowledge about  mountain agriculture, including interlocking interests, competitive activities, potentials and conflicts.

The re-emergence and modernization of traditional goat-cheese production in Jamtland led to the articulation of a localized agri-food system that represents the frontline of the return and reinforcement of local food in Sweden. Already in the 1970s, some initiatives were undertaken to formalize the productive activities of this branch and to improve the product quality. The most important project was the articulation of a cooperative that, unlike all other Swedish cooperatives, engaged its members in the development of a joint trademark, development of a standardized assortment, common marketing efforts and finding creative solutions for infrastructure problems. Despite the overall success, we also found some downsides. Producing goat cheese requires that at least two people are involved, because the workload often leads to body injuries and illness for people working alone. By studying the institutional frameworks, rules and regulations, the economic function and entrepr! neurial dynamics, and the dynamics of knowledge and competences, the article highlights how and why farm dairies in Jamtland became reinforced and modernized. This grasps both the actions of individual economic agents and their interaction with their environment. A special emphasis was put on the role of regional authorities in this process. Even though many obstacles have been removed and the trade has found successful ways to solve strategic issues concerning product development and marketing, there are still important structural shortcomings that might decrease the profitability and endanger the future development of the trade. There is a lack of experience and infrastructure to solve more complex problems like animal healthand the potential risks related to the consumption of unpasteurized cheese and the increasing incidence of Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE).

The papers included in this volume deal with the emergence of the dairy sector, a business that in many ways mirrors the long term articulation of the agro-food sector and the formation of the modern national state. The themes highlighted are the long term formation and transformation of the sector by analyzing institutional, structural and technological changes at farm and industry level. The perspectives are global, national, but also thematic. The articles highlight the interplay between policies, state actions to reduce or change transaction costs, as well as the environment in which the dairy sector has evolved over time. In this context, the role of the state has been especially highlighted. The chapters follow a thematic order and have been organized into four sections. The first contains an introductory global overview of the sector with the articulation of the industry from the 19^th century until today. The second section is composed of national experiences The third part of the book contains five chapters, all devoted to specific topics focused on politics, corporatism, competition, environmental issues and modernity. Lastly, the final section contains three chapters on traditional dairy cultures and their way into modernity.

Challenges for the New Rurality in a Changing World was the title of the 7th International Conference on Localized Agri-Food Systems. The contributions in this volume are written by conference participants. The themes highlighted relate to four topics. The first topic refers to various aspects of the articulation of the New Rurality and its challenges and opportunities, with a specific focus on the Nordic countries, the countries surrounding the Baltic Sea, and the Eastern European Countries. Also in focus is the role of knowledge in the promotion of rural development and ‘glocal’ links as enablers of opportunities and sources of challenges in relation to entrepreneurship and rural development – in theory and practice in particular Europe and the Americas. The second topic highlights various aspects of territorial governance and localized agri-food systems in particular Europe, North and South America. The third topic relates to the impact of the market on localized agri-food systems, with a special focus on short food chains, public procurement and tourism. The fourth and final topic highlights questions related to the connection between localized agri-food systems and the environment. Special interest was devoted to possible synergies, (organizational) innovations and challenges between localized agri-food systems and environmental benefits, proposing agroecology as a framework for action in the transition from conventional production to more sustainable agro-food production systems.

Antologin Från matproduktion till gastronomi belyser aktuella frågor kring livsmedel och måltider. Förändringarna inom detta område illustrerar på flera sätt dagens samhällsutveckling. Boken består av tre tematiska delar.

”Strukturella förändringar och aktuella trender” tar upp efterfrågemönster, institutionella förhållanden, interaktion mellan olika aktörer och varumärkesstrategier. Fokus ligger på småskalig livsmedelsproduktion.

”Måltider och måltidskultur” tar upp kulturella och sociala faktorer bakom förändringar av popularitet, status etc. hos olika livsmedel. Här behandlas också betydelsen av miljön kring måltiden och av restaurangsektorns utveckling.

”Maten och naturen” tar upp hur lokalproducerade livsmedel påverkas av naturmiljön på produktionsplatsen och hur deras lokala identitet kan användas i marknadsföringen. Vidare behandlas hur lokal produktion kan gynna naturvården i odlingslandskapet.