The Satakunta Food Innovation Fair is a new concept designed to highlight the creativity of students in the Bachelor of Engineering (AMK) degree in Production Engineering and Production Economics/Food Production at SAMK. As part of their third-year product development course, students presented new food concepts, some based on challenges from industry partners.
The fair aims to provide a platform where students can demonstrate their skills, industry partners can share real-world challenges, and visitors can network while enjoying coffee and exploring and tasting innovative ideas.
The fair happened on the 12th of December at the Rauma Campus and featured:
- 3 industry partners who shared development challenges
- 10 student teams presenting unique food concepts and
- ingredient suppliers providing trending raw materials.
The atmosphere in the classroom was different, it was filled with positivity, creativity and excitement. Guest could taste, hybrid meat innovations, that explored sustainable protein alternatives, novel applications of chicken feet that challenged traditional norms, and new takes on ready to eat pizzas that supported local ingredients and local production. Guests left inspired, carrying with them new ideas and perspectives on how to strengthen and expand the Satakunta food ecosystem.
This year’s fair would not have been possible without the support of a select group of industry partners. A special thank you goes to Tiina Ilmivalta from Azelis, whose expertise in ingredient supply brought trending raw materials into the hands of our students; Pasi Rantanen from Ikigaia, whose guidance as a business accelerator helped bring in some entrepreneurial spirit; and Matti Tapaila from IFF, whose contributions ensured access to ingredients that elevated the projects to a professional level. Their involvement was invaluable in making the fair a true meeting point of education, industry, and innovation.
We are already looking forward to next year’s fair!
Text: Lecturer | Researcher Jauke Buijs
Photos: Elsa Penttilä
Header photo: Students take on a ready-to-eat pinsa bottom challenge for an industry partner.