Multiple plates with delicious food on them.

Sustainable Food Services

Our goal is to strengthen the regional food system and service business, and internationalise them.

A solution-oriented and interactive development approach, as well as multidisciplinary cooperation, describes our development work.

We are researching and developing the food industry of the future!

Towards sustainable food industry

Experts from the Responsible Food Services research group carry out local, national and international research and development projects related to the production and service processes of food services, the role of food services in supporting the good and nutritious eating of people, and the development of the regional food system, food tourism and industrial fisheries.

Towards sustainable food services

The aim of the Sustainable Food Services research group is to promote the ecological, economic and social responsibility of food services. The aim is to achieve this by increasing competence, developing the planning and implementation of production and service processes. Development goals and solutions are defined in cooperation with working life.

Key themes

  • Plant-based meals in food services
  • Reduced food waste and energy consumption
  • Good and healthy eating for the elderly

Towards a strong and international regional food system

Sustainable food production and consumption requires action and cooperation from all parties in the food system. We participate in this by systematizing cooperation, strengthening internationalisation and producing regional food development programmes and strategies. The development of industrial fishing in inland waters is important to us.

We are a leader of the South-Savo food cluster and a member in several regional, national and international networks.

Key themes

  • Systematization of collaborative networks, cluster work
  • Development of food tourism
  • Development of the industrial fisheries sector

Research environments and labs

Xamk RestoLab strives to be one step ahead of the real world and provide a playing field where new innovative solutions can be tested in a safe environment. RestoLab provides an opportunity to study, measure, evaluate and develop the functionality of food services and food companies’ production processes and products in virtual and physical spaces.

A 3D model of a productive teaching computer, a virtual twin, makes it possible to present the space in digital form and enrich it with data collected from the real world. Xamk RestoLab enables teaching and learning using virtual, gamified and VR technologies.

A research environment is being built in the lobby space of the first floor of Saimaa Stadium, which can be used to study the effectiveness of digital display communications and to monitor the movement of people in the space.

Cooperation and networks

we work in close cooperation with Xamk’s Bachelor, and Master of Hospitality Management degree programmes and other fields of study. Through research and development activities, students are able to solve the challenges of working life and network with local entrepreneurs and potential employers.

Research and development projects involve a wide range of regional, national and international partners. We are e.g. involved in the following networks:

Read more about our work

Contact us

Phone
+358400872759
Email
Teija.Rautiainen@xamk.fi
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Teija Rautiainen
Head of Research Group
+358400872759
Teija.Rautiainen@xamk.fi
Phone
+358504738180
Email
Tiia-Mari.Eilola@xamk.fi
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Tiia-Mari Eilola
Project Manager
+358504738180
Tiia-Mari.Eilola@xamk.fi
Phone
+358406625560
Email
Taina.Harmoinen@xamk.fi
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Taina Harmoinen
RDI Specialist
+358406625560
Taina.Harmoinen@xamk.fi
Phone
+358504763894
Email
Antti.Kinnunen@xamk.fi
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Antti Kinnunen
Project Manager
+358504763894
Antti.Kinnunen@xamk.fi
Phone
+358503507451
Email
Minna.Komppa@xamk.fi
Social media
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Address
Patteristonkatu 3 C, 50100 Mikkeli
Minna Komppa
Project Manager
+358503507451
Minna.Komppa@xamk.fi
Social media
Phone
+358503447453
Email
Katariina.Kovanen@xamk.fi
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Katariina Kovanen
Project Manager
+358503447453
Katariina.Kovanen@xamk.fi
Phone
+358504108048
Email
Piia.Mikonsaari@xamk.fi
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Piia Mikonsaari
Project Manager
+358504108048
Piia.Mikonsaari@xamk.fi
Phone
+358503459288
Email
Riikka.Neuvonen@xamk.fi
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Riikka Neuvonen
RDI Specialist
+358503459288
Riikka.Neuvonen@xamk.fi
Phone
+358509111364
Email
Jenni.Palosaari@xamk.fi
Social media
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Address
Patteristonkatu 3, Mikkeli, Finland
I work in the Sustainable Food Services Research Group.

 

Jenni Palosaari
RDI Specialist
+358509111364
Jenni.Palosaari@xamk.fi
Social media
Phone
+358504796569
Email
Teemu.Pulkkinen@xamk.fi
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Teemu Pulkkinen
Project Manager
+358504796569
Teemu.Pulkkinen@xamk.fi
Phone
+358505728611
Email
Kaisa.Voutila@xamk.fi
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Kaisa Voutila
+358505728611
Kaisa.Voutila@xamk.fi
Phone
+358407094834
Email
Merja.Ylonen@xamk.fi
Department
Kestävä hyvinvointi
Merja Ylönen
RDI Specialist
+358407094834
Merja.Ylonen@xamk.fi