Foto: Maria Albrechtsen Mortensen/Ritzau Scanpix , Norden.org
New Nordic Food was hosted by NKJ 2020-2024.
New Nordic Food is a project of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The project aims to initiate, facilitate and coordinate activities and other projects relating to new food in the Nordic countries. The purpose of the project is, among other things, to change the global culture of fast food and junk food that not only threatens our health and cultural integrity, but also the diversity and sustainability of our entire planet. Additionally, New Nordic Food aims to develop a Nordic food culture that uses traditional recipes and ingredients while incorporating new innovations. A guiding idea for New Nordic Food is to engage many types of people whose work touches upon Nordic cuisine, including farmers, food producers, politicians, home economics teachers, government authorities, food scientists, chefs and consumers. Thus, New Nordic Food also works to spread knowledge about food on many different levels in the Nordic countries.
In line with the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Vision 2030, to be the world’s most sustainable and integrated region by 2030, the focus is moving toward sustainable and healthy food systems. As part of this, the new Nordic nutritional recommendations are being followed (NNR 2022).
In 2004, the foundation for New Nordic Food was laid when 12 Nordic chefs wrote and signed the Nordic Kitchen Manifesto. This manifesto was summarised in ten points including purity, season, ethics, health, sustainability and quality. The Kitchen Manifesto strengthens the Nordic region’s gastronomy and creates a common value base. Right now, work is being done on a revitalisation of the Kitchen Manifesto.
In 2005, responsibility was handed over to the Nordic Council of Ministers by the Nordic chefs, and with that New Nordic Food also became a part of the political agenda. The Nordic Council of Ministers approved an initiative with the goal of developing the New Nordic Food concept into a lifestyle that benefits nature, people and the entire Nordic society. This was developed through the programs New Nordic Food 1 and 2, and now continues in New Nordic Food 3.
The EMBLA Nordic Food Awards aim to promote Nordic food culture and increase interest outside the Nordic Region. They are awarded every other year and nomination is done by National juries from each Nordic country. A Nordic jury will then select the final winners in each category. Six Nordic agricultural organisations are behind the EMBLA awards, which are partly funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers as a part of the New Nordic Food project. See EMBLA’s website to find out more and see the winner from 2021.
New Nordic Food’s work and projects are governed by a steering group consisting of participants from all the Nordic countries. Since 2022, the work has been coordinated by the NKJ’s secretariat instead of directly by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Here you can find previous information about New Nordic Food, published on the website of the Nordic Council of Ministers (norden.org).
See the members of the steering group and contact details for the NKJ secretariat here.
New Nordic Food will finance food-related projects within the Nordic region. Keep an eye on NKJ’s social media to not miss the next call!
PROJECTS 2021-2024:
Revitalisation of the Kitchen Manifesto
EMBLA Nordic Food Awards
Food as a pedagogical tool
Building a new Nordic food and sustainability program
Ungdommens madmøde
Seminar om «terroir» og lokale smaker knyttet til nordiske melkeprodukter
