Kauhajoki International

INKA and Ruoka Messut (Food Festival)

Ruoka Messut (food festival) nowadays is one of the biggest events in Kauhajoki. It was established in 1991 with only few sellers, few visitors, the range of food was narrow, not many people knew about food festival. But in this time with about 140 sellers, organizations, food stores and all together about 10000 people participated in from 4.9.2009 to 6.9.2009 making it to be one of the biggest festivals not only in Kauhajoki but also in Etelä-Suupohja region.

This year the International Center of Kauhajoki region, INKA also took part in Ruoka Messut from very beginning day. INKA was there with the main purpose was to introduce the activities of INKA and “Welcome home to Suupohja” project and to let people know more about international issues in Kauhajoki and whole Suupohja.

As a part of program INKA also sold some stuff that related to food, Vietnamese green tee, chopsticks, some Vietnamese and Ecuadorian hand made things. We had no idea that the business would be so successful! For foreigners who also took part to help INKA in the festival were very surprised to see how Finnish consumer habit and how Finnish react with doing something to have prize. In the end we sold out all our tea bags, all chopsticks and almost 600 people took part in answering the quiz!

For 3 days the festival itself was not very long but INKA was succeed in introducing and giving information about the international issues in Kauhajoki and its region. INKA also are looking forward to taking part in other events which can be great chance to introduce INKA and let people know about it.