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:
- South Savo Food Cluster
- European Cluster Collaboration Platform
- Taste Saimaa – European Region of Gastronomy Saimaa 2024 [in Finnish]
- National Food Tourism Network
- National Fisheries Network [In Finnish]
Read more about our work
Europe’s first ADS-B UAT Ground Station Test Environments established by South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
The renewed xamk.fi service has been opened
“Tell Your Story – Build Tour Dream” Workshop Reflection
