Missouri Regional Cuisines Project Elizabeth Barham University of Missouri-Columbia
Project Concept: Using Ecological Regions and Labels of Origin to Market Missouri Wine and Food Products
Project Goals Sustainable rural development: economic, social, environmental Promote regional identity, action through labels of origin Provide new opportunities for rural regions faced with globalizing markets
Learning from international case studies: How do labels of origin work in other countries? What is needed to adapt this tool to Missouri?
Case study locations: France Appellation d’Origine Côntrolée (AOC) Charlevoix, Québec AOC-type labeling in the New World Duero/Douro River (Spain/Portugal) Environmental attitudes of producers
Charlevoix, Quebec New appellation request No existing appellation system Food product (lamb)
Duero/Douro Valley Existing appellations River basin with high ecological value Wine
Portugal Oldest appellation Porto (Port) 1753 Generally high value Leading product of Portugal
Team-building Approach Academic, government Research and specialty expertise Regional Team – private sector Set goals for their region
Experts Team: Academic Rural Sociology Community Policy Analysis Center Ag. Economics (tourism) Geography MO Folk Arts Program Natural Resources History Community Development Extension Community Food Systems & Sustainable Agriculture Program Ag. Extension (horticulture) Small Business Development Center
Experts Team: Government Missouri Departments of: Agriculture Division of Tourism Conservation
Year One Activities Survey Missouri wineries Economic impact on state Degree of regional coordination Current quality control measures
Missouri Wineries: A Toast to the Future By Elizabeth Barham Department of Rural Sociology University of Missouri-Columbia 2003
Year One Activities (continued) Choose pilot region with help of Experts Team
Year One Activities (continued) Develop protocol for mapping best grape land in pilot region
Year Two Activities Organize regional effort Begin building regional team
March 17, st Regional Meeting Ste. Genevieve, MO Presentation of project Work in smaller groups (report available soon on the web)
Small Groups Wineries Vegetables & Fruits Small-scale Processing Hospitality
Year Two Activities (continued) Inventory food-related cultural assets towards development of a regional cuisine Map grape land in pilot region Survey related activities: festivals, regional fairs, etc.
Regional Promotion Landscape amenities mapped Agri-tourism Hiking, biking, swimming, etc. Bird watching Gardens (native plants)
Regional Promotion Family vacations, return tourism Good food, special products, local cuisine Sense of place, exploration Accessible (distance and cost) Quality of life
Future Directions New specialty products Markets: urban, internet Promotion: MO Division of Tourism Additional regions Comparison with EU experience