The not so known food journey in Sweden

Your Swedish food journey explained! Food is such a great way to discover a country or a region. But sometimes when you travel in Sweden you will wonder where all the great food can be found?

The big urban areas of are known for great dining and in most towns today you can find a decent lunch. However it is not so easy and perhaps some not so good experiences together with some urban stories of Swedish “fermented fish” surströmming has made people google on Why do people think Swedish food is so bad. Of course this is not true and we will show you why and the way.

The recent Swedish food story

Sweden has a quite recent story of industrialisation but when we got industrialised it happened fast. The production, commercialisation, distribution and consumption of food went along the same line. This has affected how the recent generation´s relationship with eating and the Swedish food basket. However the this is changing as more people are becoming aware of the relationship between sustainability, quality and health.

Less is known about the emerging food basket and gourmet eating offered on the Swedish Countryside. These are the places where you can truly learn about Swedish food culture and heritage. The closest way between crops and the table is in the countryside.

The real Bon food trip is when you go to places where the love for food, of the people behind´s the growing marketplace for great experiences, goes the whole way. You just know that the food on your plate is a gem that has been carefully taken out of earth and polished with a gentle hand.

  • The ingredients come from local farmer or artisan food producers. Local flavours telling a story about the evolution of the place it stems from
  • The clean and rich soil comes from innovative ways to growing
  • The non- waste in production and how the food is served and stored and recycled
  • Seasonal food is served. Always a challenge in a country far north but each season has its beauty.
  • Outdoor cooking facilities based on sustainability in cooking methods

Season food and local produce

The interest to grow your own vegetables, fruits and berries is on rise in Sweden. More and more resorts are keeping their own hens as well as producing honey.

The Allemansrätt makes it possible for Swedes and visitors alike, to pick Fresh Berries, mushrooms and hike in the forests with a picnic. Fish in the lakes. However it comes with responsibility, love and respect for the nature you visit as well common sense i.e responsible travelling

Sweden is a country where food has been stored to survive the long winter months. So what is in the pantry in terms of pickled vegetables, frozen fruits and berries, bottles of local apple juice or apple cider and jars of apple puree.

If you are a food lover, ask if you can buy a basket of goodies. There might be some local dishes, homemade goodies or even leftovers that you cannot resist

Reko-ringen, the Swedish farmers´s market. A digital story with a local focus

If you stay longer in Sweden look for an Reko-ringen for buying your produce. REKO -ringen stands for a consumption that is sustainable, fair and genuine. It a model of a farmers market where the advertising and buying takes place on Facebook. It commits to digital payment methods and that the growers is given a space where they show show up at apredetermined time and place and hands out the prepaid goods to the customer that shows up to collect the goodies.

Deli Food on Swedish Countryside

There are usually shops in every little town but for a real treat find the ”mathantverk” or the artisan producers of food.

Another great way to find great local food is to ask your hosts where they buy their groceries. One such place taking pride in working with local artisan producers is Ödevata Fiskecamp, a countryside resort with their own produce, and a real advocate for sustainable consumption.

Glasriket, Småland the region of eco-fires and great locally produced food.

Malin at Ödevata countryside Hotel is a eco resort in Småland with extensive production of food in their Aquaponic greenhouse and gardens is a keen promoter of everything locally produced. “ I want my guests to buy locally and to invest in Eco produce”.However I know it is not so easy to find these places and this is why I have made a list that I share with my guests. You can ask me for a list at your arrival.

Their own eco profile is our greatest asset and attracts people from all over the world. At Ödevata you can learn more about sustainable food production and also buy fish from their Aquaponic greenhouse. In the summer they hope to have a small sales structure in place to be able sell some of their vegetable produce to their guests.

If you are curious to find out more about Ödevata´s work you are welcome to join their eco bonfire celebration of the Swedish tradition “Valborg“. You can join online and ask questions to Malin and Magnus the couple running Ödevata Countryside Hotel.