In a recently published report from Jönköping School of Business and Economics and Sweden Food Arena, it is noted that the level of innovation in the food sector in Dalarna is strong in a national comparison. The number of companies per county that have made measurable innovations in the food industry in Sweden is highest in Södermanland, Värmland and Dalarna. The results show, according to the report, that innovations should not only be attributed to metropolitan areas but take place where there are driven enthusiasts. Dalarna Science Park has been working actively for several years with innovation support for entrepreneurs in the food sector. Several companies that have passed through Dalarna Science Park are now successful food producers.
Dalarna's food strategy is one of the region's priority areas. Since 2018, Dalarna Science Park has been one of the actors involved in developing the strategy and is now helping to implement it. The aim is to increase food production in Dalarna. This would lead to increased self-sufficiency and employment while reducing climate impact. Dalarna Science Park's contribution to food innovation means that Dalarna's food industry can gain new development opportunities with new products and new collaborations as a result.
- "It's incredibly gratifying that the innovative power we have in the food sector in Dalarna comes out so well in the report," says David Levrén, project manager at Dalarna Science Park. "We see that food innovations in general are often driven by entrepreneurs who actually have their background in other industries. Collaborations between people with different skills provide the conditions for creating something new. The results of the survey also show that counties with many or large food producers are not necessarily counties that lead the innovation league.
At Dalarna Science Park, work is underway to map the conditions for a completely new industry, extracting protein from insects. The Orsa-based company Tebrito, which participated in Dalarna Science Park's incubator, has been an important part of the work to understand what is needed to create the conditions for a new industry. Today, Tebrito has ten employees and has started up a factory in Orsa for the production of protein from mealworms. In 2021, the Swedish Food Agency also approved the protein as food. One of the founders, Nils Österström, is an engineer with a background in the IT industry.
Leksand-based Casamancea is another example from Dalarna Science Park's incubator. Casamancea produces vegan meat from the apple on which the cashew nut grows, a waste product that is usually thrown away after harvesting but which can now be utilized under the Cashewmeetly brand. In the past year, the company has started production in Africa and distribution in the Swedish grocery trade. Founder Linnéa Falkinger's business concept is about sustainability and the company employs women on the African continent who now have the opportunity to earn their own living.
The Borlänge-based company Tångkullan and its founder Anna Wångmar have also demonstrated strong innovation in the food sector. Tångkullan grows seaweed on the Swedish west coast, which can then be dried and used as food for consumption.
- We are now planning for Dalarna Science Park to become even better at supporting strong innovations in the food sector. As a Science Park, collaboration is our most important tool. This applies between actors in our own region but also across the country. It is an absolute necessity if we are to strengthen the innovative power of new and established companies in the food industry. Food innovation is a crucial area for the future," concludes David Levrén.
