On October 1, 2022, the districts of Oder-Spree, Märkisch-Oderland, the city of Frankfurt (Oder), the district farmers' associations Oder-Spree and Märkisch Oderland and the city of Beeskow invited to the 1st regional and farmers' market ODERLAND-SPREE on the historic market square in Beeskow. Subsequently, the "Day of the Butter Bread" was celebrated on the castle Beeskow.
Despite the gloomy weather, the organizers were pleased about lively autumnal hustle and bustle and many interested visitors* on the marketplace in Beeskow and in the castle courtyard. After the official welcome by Gundula Teltewskaja, LOS Councillor for Rural Development, Rainer Schinkel, MOL Councillor, Claus Junghanns, Mayor of Frankfurt (Oder) and Henrik Wendorff, President of the Brandenburg Farmers' Association, it was off to the market to stroll, chat and shop - and sample. In between, music of the "Oderbrucher Blasmusik" sounded again and again.
In the context of the regional and farmers' market Oderland-Spree, regional self-producers and suppliers presented their diverse agricultural and handicraft products. More than 20 producers, traders, manufactories and small agricultural enterprises from the near and far surroundings were represented and offered their products in front of the beautiful backdrop of the historic city center of Beeskow to taste, look at, enjoy and take away. The diverse offer ranged from autumnal regional products such as pumpkins, fresh fruits and vegetables, potatoes, milk and dairy products, cosmetics, liqueurs to honey & cheese. The physical well-being was well taken care of thanks to a wide range of hearty farm and autumn dishes, such as ox on the spit, barbecue and meat products, as well as an extensive range of beverages. Regional breeders informed about the keeping of old animal breeds while clubs and associations presented their work. But also organic fertilizer from the biogas plant was offered. Agricultural and forestry technology was to be seen, garden articles, plants and woody plants could be purchased.
And also a harvest crown competition was part of the program. The first place went to the countrywomen of the local group Falkenberg. In 2nd place came the crown from Görzig and 3rd place went to the countrywomen from Krügersdorf.
On the stage was talkt - to many current topics, which move the farmers. In several rounds of talks, everything revolved around agricultural production and the effects of agricultural policy on farms, food security and value chains in rural areas. They also looked to the future. The topic "New products, new technology, new thinking - how will our bread be produced tomorrow?" focused on sustainability and rising health awareness. "New consumer demands are being placed on farmers, processors and retailers." The district farmers' associations Oder-Spree and Märkisch Oderland are pleased about the lively interest of the event visitors in their topics and that they were able to present the performance of the food industry in the districts so successfully in the circle of organizers and give an outlook on the future of the agricultural industry.
The "Regional and Farmers' Market ODERLAND-SPREE as the first cross-county, joint event of the counties LOS with the county seat Beeskow, MOL and city FF(O) and the district farmers' associations Oder-Spree and MOL was a complete success despite the autumnal weather. Hundreds of visitors* were not deterred and set out to stroll, chat, shop and taste. The Oderland-Spree Regional and Farmers' Market stands for enjoyment, good taste, high quality and craftsmanship from the region. 2022 was the premiere in Beeskow. In the future, the event will alternate, hosted annually by the participating regional authorities. Frankfurt (Oder) will be the venue in 2023 and the district of Märkisch-Oderland in 2024. The overall goal is thereby the presentation and development of the regional brand "ODERLAND-SPREE", with the focus here on agricultural production, products and producers, the regional characteristics and originals.
Under the regional brand ODERLAND-SPREE regional companies, clubs and associations from different industries have united. With the regional mark ODERLAND-SPREE a new roof mark is to be established, with the help of which the entire region is to be represented as attractive location for living, working and living in all its variety and with all its possibilities, an overall spatial development of the existing potentials can take place, regional synergies are promoted, existing and establishing participants are merged and interlaced and thus a community-carried consciousness as strong and livable region is to be developed. With the involvement of the regional actors to jointly influence the future development of the region and, above all, to bring the people in all sub-areas. The "regional brand ODERLAND-SPREE" is to serve the networking of the regional key players and to have the common marketing under the umbrella brand "ODERLAND-SPREE" as a goal. Only ODERLAND-SPREE as a whole has an impressive mix of industries and thus the necessary economic and political clout. Therefore, the region has decided to communicate and present all the potential under this umbrella on the market through the regional brand ODERLAND-SPREE, which clearly focuses on the region of origin and uses it as a clear sender.