Regionality is booming. Not just since Corona. Many see regionality as a ray of hope in the fog of our globalized society. And hope for sustainability when buying regional products. But what does regionality really promise, and what doesn't?
"Region" is a flexible term. A region can describe a small, manageable Alpine valley as well as a global climate region
The boundaries are also blurred when it comes to "regional" food. Regional food comes either from your own region, a nearby region or a specific region within your own country.
DEFINITIONS
Region: contiguous area (e.g. geographical, political or economic unit)
Regionality: usually describes the origin of food from a specific region, but is not uniformly defined.
Authentic regionality: describes food that comes from sustainable, regional cycles
Regionality alone is no guarantee of quality
If a product is labeled as 'regional', this often raises hopes of healthy, high-quality food from the local area. Consumers are particularly interested in the origin of their food when it comes to meat, eggs, but also dairy products, sausage, ham and fish.
However, there are no uniform standards or sustainability criteria for 'regional food'. "Regional" also says nothing about how an animal was kept, fed or slaughtered. For example, a 'regional' product, such as Tyrolean bacon, can come from pigs that were fattened with genetically modified feed from Brazil and slaughtered abroad.
Regional food is not per se free of pesticides, healthier or more soil-friendly. Producers must be demonstrably committed to organic production (e.g. through standardized labels).
Authentic regionality
The term 'authentic' regionality is used to describe food with a guarantee of origin and sustainability. An authentically regional product is created in the region where it is culturally rooted and where suitable climatic conditions prevail. Authentic regionality requires a sustainable cycle in the region, from the production of raw materials to their processing.
The added value remains in the region and counteracts emigration, conserves resources and culture; traditions are preserved for future generations. Authentic regionality must be linked to sustainability in all dimensions. The Prüf Nach! standard defines regionality in this way.
A brief history of regionality
'Regio' (Latin) originally meant territory. Industrialization changed people's relationship to space. Alienation and a subsequent return to the homeland and one's own region were the result.
In the aftermath of the First World War, there was a renaissance of regional cultures and political regionalism. After the Second World War, a conscious effort was made to strengthen regional economic structures.
1970s: The region becomes interesting
Since the 1970s, steps towards decentralization, regionalization and federalization - in many cases enshrined in constitutional law - have been observed in Western European countries. Independent regional development is being driven forward, particularly in rural areas.
From the European regions to the Europe of the regions
Since 1985, Europe's regions have been represented by the Assembly of Regions founded by the Council of Europe. The EU also supports cooperation between border regions economically and in terms of infrastructure by establishing so-called "European regions".
The Maastricht Treaty of 1992 established a consultative regional committee was created. The political concept of a "Europe of the Regions" aims to further promote regions in the EU member states and support their regional autonomy.
Sources
- Susanne Tauss: Region. In: Glossar Kulturmanagement, edited by Verena Lewinski-Reuter and Stefan Lüddemann, Springer Verlag 2011.
- Lexicon of Geography on Spektrum.de.
