in content lists or on the content page.Circular economy education for the catering sector
Ended project: 10/2017 – 6/2019
A study unit on the use of insects in cooking was developed in South-East Finland for vocational education in the catering sector.
The project was part of the Circular economy teaching for all levels of education package implemented between 2017 and 2019. Sitra’s vision was that all graduates should understand what the circular economy means from the point of view of their work and day-to-day life, and what decisions and actions they can take to promote the circular economy. The aim was to increase expertise in the circular economy in Finland by extensively developing circular economy training, materials, concepts and co-operation from different points of view for all levels of education. More than 50 educational institutions, organisations and businesses took part in the package.
What was achieved?
The project developed a study unit on the use of insects for vocational education in the catering sector. It also created networks between catering professionals and insect industry producers.
The project also investigated the customer experiences of insect-based ingredients through different theme days, tasting sessions and interviews.
Start using the educational materials developed during the project (in Finnish) in your teaching as well as the Sirkkaa sopassa (Crickets in the soup) insect cook book (in Finnish).
Who was involved?
Sitra funded the project, and the people responsible for the project at Sitra were Riitta Silvennoinen and Nani Pajunen. Kouvola Adult Education Centre co-ordinated the project together with the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences. Also, Etelä-Kymenlaakso Vocational College and Eastern Uusimaa Municipal Training and Education Consortium participated in an assessment of the project’s results and the training aimed at educators in the catering sector.
There was also co-operation and an information exchange with the Kouvola business centre Kouvola Innovation, the Western Uusimaa Municipal Training and Education Consortium Luksia and the Southwest Finland Vocational College Novidia. Partnering organisations included Team Entis, Entomophagy Solutions Oy, Nordic Insect Economy Ltd and entrepreneur and insect chef Topi Kairenius.
What was it about?