Innotime presentation at the GEOfood program trademark ceremony
A particularly important research area for our company is the research on the relationship between local products and tourism and the launch of related pilot projects, which is why we participate in the UNESCO-supported research program IGCP 726. Nagy Júlia, the managing director of our company, gave a presentation on this and the benefits of the GEOfood trademark at the GEOfood trademark award ceremony.
The certificates for the use of the GEOfood trademark were presented at the event by the geologist of the Novohrad-Nógrád Geopark, Péter Prakfalvi, and the notary of the Nógrád County Municipality, József Bagó.
In his welcoming speech, József Bagó highlighted that the most important goal is cooperation and continued joint work between the geopark, the county government and local entrepreneurs in order to strengthen the local economy, which is also supported by Innotime Hungary Kft. The municipality continues to pay great attention to the promotion of products produced by primary producers and local businesses operating in the county and to ensuring that the widest possible range of local products can be included in the tourist offer.
Nagy Júlia, CEO of InnoTime Hungary Kft and volunteer coordinator of the GEOfood trademark, speaking about the goals of the GEOfood trademark, highlighted that GEOfood is a trademark for sustainable local foods that come from a unique geological area. However, GEOfood is not just a brand, but a philosophy with which UNESCO Global Geoparks want to bring consumers closer to those who produce their food, all by strengthening local communities in the name of sustainable development. He emphasized that the most important task is to find the connection points where producers and consumers meet, and where economic and social sustainability aspects meet. The goal of the GEOfood program launched by Magma Geopark is to introduce the trademark in at least 30% of UNESCO Global Geoparks by the end of 2023, and in at least 10% of geoparks in the rest of the world by 2025.
Speaking about project number 726, IGCP said:
This project, which won the IGCP Council’s „Special Award” in 2021, involves 45 researchers from various universities, geoparks and research groups supporting geoparks. Currently, they are from 33 countries around the world, focusing on 26 geopark areas. The project proposes a scientific approach to GEOfood, starting from the relationship between geoheritage, geodiversity, culture, ecosystem services, food production and sustainable local development. Based on the research, the project develops methodological solutions for the evaluation, implementation and results of GEOfood projects. It creates procedures and guidelines for the implementation of the concept in at least 26 areas around the world, and supports the involvement of communities in areas that are not classified as geoparks. The project does not finance local research, but allows for international presentations and the presentation of good practices. In Hungary, Innotime Hungary Kft. is participating in the project as part of the company’s CSR activities. In 2021, the company conducted a nationwide online survey of 1,000 people on the consumption of local products, as well as several smaller studies on the opportunities for local producers and restaurants operating in the geopark. Further research will be carried out in 2022, as well as the development of pilot programs aimed at ensuring short supply chains for restaurants.
The professional representative of the municipality, Bálint Murányi, presented the "Take the Nógrád!" program, which creates an opportunity for Nógrád producers and consumers to get to know each other. So far, you can choose from the services of 80 producers. www.veddanogradit.hu They are working on launching a website and a webshop for further development, while they provide continuous information on their Facebook page about producer days and other local product events organized in the county, and they also provide producers with the opportunity to introduce themselves in the local media.
Last year, 2 restaurants in Nógrád earned the trademark, which is also significant because there are a total of 24 GEOfood restaurants in the world. One of these is Castellum Hotel Mikszáth Restaurant, whose chef, Zoltán Oláh, highlighted that all the ingredients in their restaurant come from Hungary, including 70% of the ingredients from the region. The hotel not only offers local ingredients for breakfast, but also ensures that local products can be found in the minibars of the rooms, and is constantly looking for partnerships with producers of high-quality local products in the region.
After the Szent Jakab restaurant in Mátraverebély-Szentkút, which obtained a trademark in 2021, and the Mikszáth restaurant at Castellum Hotel in Hollókő, three people were now able to receive the GEOfood award in the first round of judging in 2021:
Viktorné Benedek Boglárka As a primary producer, he makes homemade jams in Szandaváralja. The route of the National Blue Trail passes right in front of his house, where he meets many tourists all year round. This is where the idea came from that it would be worth expanding his jam-making activity to a wider audience. He procures the fruits from the fruit trees in the garden and on the hillside, and makes quince jam seasoned with plums, cherries and cinnamon, among other ingredients. Last year, he started to present his products to a wider audience. His friends encouraged him to dare to dream big, and obtaining the GEOfood trademark will certainly help promote his activity.
Nagy Mihály Medicinal Plants Ltd.Balázs Nagy received the award on behalf of the company. The three-generation family business has been engaged in the cultivation, processing and sale of medicinal herbs since 1974. The plant is located in Cserhátsurány, where the collected medicinal plants are stored in a 3,000 square meter warehouse. 70% of the raw materials are obtained from wild herbs, and the rest are purchased fresh. Their product range includes approximately 50-60 types of plants. Since 2000, they have been distributing their products with organic certification.
A mezzz.hu – straight from the hive is also a family business with over 30 years of experience in the field of beekeeping. Its main profile is the production of quality products made from natural ingredients, such as medicinal bee products, honey specialties and natural honey cosmetics. The company, headquartered in Márkháza, works with nearly 100-150 bee colonies. Its goal is to convey the naturalness and purity of honey through its uniquely crafted products.
