9 September 2021 – A brand-new shop has opened in Coimbra Region, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2021-22 to showcase the best locally-produced food and crafts products. It is called Loja dos Sabores da Região de Coimbra (Coimbra Region’s Flavours Shop) and it is a must-visit for all those who wish to bring home a fine taste of the region’s gastronomy and handicraft.
The shop’s offer reflects the great food and cultural variety that characterises the Coimbra Region and perfectly coveys its essential dualities: mountains and sea; urban and rural; innovation and tradition.
Every-day, contemporary products like bags, rucksacks, and espadrilles made with the traditional almalaguês tapestries; olive oil from Oliveira do Hospital, reinterpreted either in olive liqueurs or in cosmetics, like the olive oil-based soaps with aromatic herbs; the typical fish preserves, which recover a more traditional branding, but adapt to modern times with their “bio” line… These are only a few examples of the products available.
The Coimbra Region’s Flavours Shop project has been developed in the framework of two international initiatives of the Intermunicipal Community of Coimbra Region: Food Corridors; and the European Region of Gastronomy 2021-2022 title. Two projects aimed at promoting the regional gastronomy and reinforcing the link between local urban and rural settings, with an eye to the internationalisation of the region’s products.
The Shop is the result of the combined efforts of different local entities including the Local Action Groups, the 19 Municipalities of the Intermunicipal Community of Coimbra Region, that facilitated access and provided the products exhibited, and the Municipality of Coimbra that provided the space.
Located in Coimbra’s emblematic downtown street Ferreira Borges, the Shop, can be visited from Monday to Friday, from 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm, and on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm. But, since it is just an exhibit, how can the products on display be purchased?
In the shop’s catalogue, each product is identified with a number and a QR-Code that allows to get information about the product and producer and to purchase it from a digital point of sale.
Alternatively, the products can be bought on the virtual marketplace platform Mercado de Sabores da Região de Coimbra (Coimbra Region’s Flavours Market), both on their website or through the Dott App.
In the coming months, the Shop will also offer a programme to boost tourism, culture and the promotion of local products, through exhibitions, tastings, educational sessions, publication launches and many more initiatives to be announced soon. Among the main goals of Coimbra Region, European Region of Gastronomy 2021-22 programme is the economic valorisation of the local food and wine sector; the promotion of cross-sectoral collaboration between gastronomy, tourism and culture; as well as, the stimulation of gastronomic creativity and innovation, through the development of food gifts that combine tradition, innovation, branding and sustainability. As a recent example, the Pudim das Clarissas de Coimbra by Cordel Maneirista that won the 2nd Prize at IGCAT’s European Food Gift Challenge 2021 and is also on sale at the Coimbra Region’s Flavours Shop.
About the European and World Regions of Gastronomy
Candidate and awarded European and World Regions of Gastronomy, guided by IGCAT, are working together to strengthen food security through the celebration of distinctive food cultures; create employment by stimulating creativity and gastronomic innovation; nourish children and adults through culinary and cultural education; drive environmental sustainability in tourism, hospitality and agricultural sectors; support balance and sustainable tourism practices; highlight and support expertise from within rural and urban communities, creating connections and sharing good practises; and contribute to community health and well-being.
About IGCAT
IGCAT aims to empower local communities by raising awareness of the importance to protect and promote distinct regional food, culture, arts and natural assets as part of sustainable and balanced tourism and development strategies. This is essential to safeguard our planet, health, wellness and local economies.
IGCAT is a non-profit institute established in 2012, working with regional stakeholder consortiums in the fields of gastronomy, culture, arts and tourism. It counts on the expertise of a worldwide network of experts and works in partnership with specialised intergovernmental organisations. IGCAT founded the European and the World Region of Gastronomy Award and is the official secretariat for the European and World Regions of Gastronomy Platform. Furthermore, the Institute has developed the European Young Chef Award, the European Food Gift Challenge, the Top Visitor Experience Portal and the Food Film Menu.