Pre-study: Outdoor vegetable growing – a contribution to urgent societal challenges

The County Administrative Board conducted a so-called GAP analysis in 2016, i.e. the difference between production and consumption, regarding food in the Mälardalen region and in Södermanland. The report showed that there is a shortage of, above all, vegetables in both the Mälardalen region and Södermanland County. Cultivation of vegetables requires good access to labor. Unemployment is high in the county among certain groups, including newcomers/new Swedes. Many of these individuals have experience, knowledge, and skills in cultivation and could contribute significantly to Swedish agriculture.

In this leader project, a process model was created that enables a number of rural entrepreneurs to further develop their respective businesses while initiating various forms of collaboration to reach job seekers/newcomers with knowledge and interest in work within the green sectors. The purpose of the project was to create growth and jobs in the countryside, build bridges between city and countryside, contribute to the integration of new Swedes, and contribute to the implementation of the new food strategy (increased self-sufficiency).