How do you go about innovating new products? And how do you to turn them into marketable products? These were some of the questions that Linda and Mark, saffron farmers in Flanders, learned to address during a food innovation academy tour.
How It All Began
In August 2012 Linda and Mark started with a test field of saffron. In the Autumn of that same year they harvested for the first time and in December 2013 they became official saffron growers. They sell their saffron and saffron-based products on local markets and in local food stores.
New product development
Later, Linda and Mark became interested in expanding their product range. This triggered a lot of new questions, for which they needed to seek out answers, such as how do you go about innovating new products? Where do you get your ideas? And how do you market your new products in the best way possible?
Food Innovation Academy
As it turned out, Linda and Mark’s questions were addressed during a food innovation academy tour.
The food innovation academy on tour-concept was initiated by Flanders DC and the Innovation Support Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, Innovatiesteunpunt. On a bus tour to supermarkets in Canterbury (UK), farmers are immersed in the world of marketing and product development. A product design consultant and a concept design consultant also join the innovation tour.
Important Lessons Were Learned
Linda and Mark attended the tour with an open mind, to learn firsthand about product and packaging design. Together with the product designer they discussed the packaging of their saffron. From the supermarkets visited in Canterbury, they brought home some refreshingly new ideas.
Since the product designer had some comments on the packaging and labelling of their product, Linda and her son have started thinking about a new labelling concept.
Also as a result of participating in the food innovation academy tour, Linda has developed two new products together with a chocolatier.
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