The South Transdanubian Regional Innovation Agency (STRIA) has organized three workshops titled Food Quality, Safety, Packaging and Production Technology between April and September 2018. The events were co-financed by Interreg Central Europe Programme, the European Regional Development Fund and by the State of Hungary.
30 participants took part on each workshop, where the successful good practices were presented that are currently relevant for the three county in the region. In the framework of the I-CON Interreg Central Europe project, which aims to develop the competence and skills of by means of food innovations. the participants were represented by the micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises in the food sector.
The deputy director of STRIA, has welcomed the guests, he also presented the I-CON project and the opportunities for SMEs in the project. The speakers of the events came from the different areas of the food sector. The other Hungarian projectpartner, Campden BRI’s presentation was about Quality Assurance and Food Safety Solutions for suppliers of SME’s for Trade Chains. The collagues of Campden BRI have explained why the requirements of commercial food safety and quality standards are important for both merchants and consumers. The audience was also introduced to advanced IT and manufacturing solutions describing the main drivers of the food industry, its needs and the main drivers of food innovation.
On the workshop in Szekszárd – 19th April 2018 – participants could listen to a presentation about community marketing solutions and how to do image building, and after that, the Food Industry Directorate of the National Chamber of Agricultural Economics was talked about their key tasks and opportunities for applications of what were reported,
The second event was held on 29th May 2018 in Pécs, where the director of the Investment Team Kft. has talked about how the packaging and design affects consumers in decision-making then a collegue of the National Chamber of Agricultural Economics in Baranya County had a presentation about their role in rural development.
Ont he workshop in Kaposvár, wich was organized on 25th September 2018, the lecturer of the University of Kaposvár had presentation in the theme of food packaging, labelling and visuality. By the presentations of the Széchenyi Program Office, participants could be informed about national programs (Széchenyi 2020), with the aim to support food industry companies.
Within the framework of the I-CON project the 10 most appropriate food oriented SMEs will be selected for free audit reviews connected to mechatronics, design packaging, food safety, quality and labelling. Three local SME’s will be helped by Campden BRI’s professional knowledge: business models, solutions will be defined for a competitive advantage,
The I-CON project stands out to put together food SMEs needs and solution providers, enhancing their own potentials along the food value chain.
More information about the I-CON project: http://www.interreg-central.eu/Content.Node/I-CON.html
The project is implemented within the Interreg Central Europe Programme with the co-finance of the European Regional Development Fund and the Hungarian State.