GEOfood takes stage at the European Geoparks Conference in Saimaa Geopark- GEOfood was proudly represented at the 18th European Geoparks Network Conference, hosted by Saimaa UNESCO Global Geopark in Finland from 16–18 September 2026.The conference brought together geoparks, researchers, local communities, food producers and other stakeholders from across Europe and beyond to exchange knowledge, share experiences and explore new approaches to sustainable development. For GEOfood, it was an important opportunity to strengthen its presence within the international geopark community and demonstrate the strong connection between geological heritage, local food, culture and sustainable development.
Connecting geology and local food
As part of the conference’s GEOfair, GEOfood was showcased alongside the rich food traditions and local products of participating geoparks. The event offered an opportunity to demonstrate how food can become a powerful way of communicating the identity of a place and connecting people with its geological and cultural heritage.GEOfood highlights products and food traditions that are rooted in the unique landscapes and geological characteristics of geopark territories. By bringing together local producers, communities and geoparks, the initiative supports a more sustainable and place-based approach to food and territorial development.
Sharing knowledge and building connections
The Saimaa conference provided an important international platform for presenting GEOfood’s work, exchanging experiences with other geoparks and discussing opportunities for further development.The growing interest in GEOfood reflects the potential of food to contribute to the wider mission of geoparks: protecting and promoting geological heritage while supporting local communities, sustainable tourism and regional development.The conference also strengthened connections within the GEOfood network and created new opportunities for collaboration between geoparks and local food stakeholders.
Looking ahead
The successful presence of GEOfood at the European Geoparks Conference in Saimaa marks another important step in the development of the initiative.As the GEOfood network continues to grow, its vision remains clear: to connect geology, food, people and sustainable development, while celebrating the distinctive food heritage of geopark territories.The experience in Saimaa demonstrated once again that local food can be much more than a product — it can be a story about the landscape, the people and the geological heritage of a place.
The GEOfood journey continues.
