Regionality on the Lower Rhine

Regionality in society, politics and commerce is an ever increasing topic of discussion, particularly in the area of food production. Regional food production is a hotbed of controversial discussion in both research and business spheres due to a distinct lack of generally-binding definition for what actually constitutes ‘regional or local food’. Unlike in the area of ecological, or ‘green’, food production, lawmakers in Germany haven’t come to a consensus on legal specifications for food produced at the regional or local level. Nevertheless, in the absence of an official definition, it’s possible to note that consumers generally consider ‘regional or local food’ to be any product which is proven to have been produced in their particular region. What exactly consumers consider ‘their region’ is an entirely different question, and often one of the biggest hurdles in constructing a successful regional marketing campaign for a food product.

As a result, the project “Regionalität am Niederrhein” was born. Led by the Centre for Research, Innovation and Transfer of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, this project aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of how inhabitants of the Lower Rhine perceive their region, complete with a situational analysis of supply and demand for regional products. The initial stage of the project focused on answering the question “What is the ‘Lower Rhine’?” through an in-depth surveying of residents. The results of this initial investigation were then used as a basis for a situational analysis of supply and demand for regional agricultural products among the local population. This survey-based investigation produced a well-founded map of the ‘Lower Rhine’ in residents’ opinion, which, when combined with the previously mentioned situational analysis, produced a complete picture outlining the region’s potential for the local agricultural sector. At the same time, these results deliver sound answers to the pressing questions of actors in politics, industry and research, who are essential to launching new initiatives or continuing ongoing ones in the Lower Rhine region.

The project was supported financially by the MKULNV, or “Ministerium für Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Landwirtschaft, Natur- und Verbraucherschutz” (Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Agriculture, Nature Conservation and Consumer Projection) of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.