The Missouri Regional Cuisines Project (MRCP)
seeks to market
Missouri wine and food products using labels of origin from distinct
ecological regions. Labels of origin -- also called geographic
indications -- have been used for centuries in European countries,
allowing the consumer to distinguish among the unique tastes and
attributes of products from different areas. This
identification of Missouri's products will mean greater recognition
and economic opportunities for our state's food producers, tourism
industry, and rural communities.
The MRCP was developed in 2003 by Dr. Elizabeth
Barham, Professor of Rural Sociology at the University of
Missouri-Columbia. The concept behind is project as summarized
by Dr. Barham as follows:
"...regionalization can be an important way
to proactively counter impacts of globalization by building a
critical mass of interconnected businesses that, together, can
map a strategy for their future. While a single small or
medium-sized business acting alone cannot put into motion the
partnerships with government and education....a viable network
of regional businesses connected across sectors can."
The idea of a regional approach to economic
development has been around for many years, but for a number of
reasons it has been slow to hold in many areas, particularly rural
areas. Using labels of origin and focusing on the unique
offerings of a region provides a distinct focus for collaborative
economic development.
Project Goals
- Promote sustainable rural development
- Foster an appreciation for regional rural
identity
- Increase local cooperation among producers,
marketers, and community entities
- Develop new economic opportunities for rural
regions faced with globalizing markets
The Process
The MRCP organizes local groups to take charge of
setting their own goals for the region, and for the various
stakeholder groups. Participants self-select into stakeholder
groups, which may include wineries & vineyards, agricultural
producers, local governments, tourism businesses, etc. A
regional "roundtable" coordinates communications and planning.
A primary goal for a Missouri Regional Cuisines
Project region is the development of a label of origin for locally
produced products (primarily foods and/or wines). Producers
may elect to also establish corresponding standards of quality for
the label, as is the custom in Europe. Each industry group in
the region is responsible for establishing their own standards.
The standards are not mandatory, and not all products from any one
producer will meet the identified criteria.
A pilot region has been selected and is in the
early stages of implementing the MRCP model. The Mississippi
River Hills (the name chosen by participants) is an eco-region that
runs along the Mississippi River south of St. Louis, encompassing
portions of six Missouri counties: Jefferson, Ste. Genevieve,
St. Francois, Perry, Cape Girardeau, and Scott. A companion
eco-region in Illinois will hopefully be added at a later date.
