From 11 to 15 October, Grangeneuve will be all about dairy. The three-day 2023 Congress of the Farmhouse and Artisan Cheese and Dairy Producers’ European Network (FACEnetwork) will be followed by the Grangeneuve Open Days and the RegioSkills championships for trainee dairy technicians.
Switzerland is set to host the annual congress of the European FACEnetwork for the first time, bringing together farmers and artisanal producers of cheese and dairy products. Some 200 professionals from the dairy and cheese sector are expected to attend from Switzerland and all over Europe. This year’s theme – raw milk – is especially topical given the growing scientific evidence of the health benefits of raw milk products. These products are also gaining in popularity with European and Swiss consumers.
A rich and varied programme – like the microbiota in raw milk
The FACE 2023 congress is being organised by the Competence Centre for Raw Milk Products (a partnership between Agroscope and Grangeneuve) and by Fromarte, the umbrella association of Swiss cheese-makers. Participants can expect a rich and varied programme, like the microbiota in raw milk: visits to artisan cheese dairies, practical workshops and expert lectures presenting the latest research findings. As Hans-Peter Bachmann, Agroscope project leader, explains, “making raw milk products is not simply about not heating the milk. To guarantee food safety and product flavour, the beneficial bacteria need to develop their full effects and the unwanted bacteria need to be killed”. This calls for a skilful blend of traditional know-how and scientific research.
The congress will open on the evening of Wednesday 11 October with an official dinner attended by participants and personalities from the world of politics and the Swiss dairy industry. Around 250 guests are expected.
Grangeneuve Open Days
A tempting programme (in german) and a host of events await the public in Grangeneuve over the weekend of 14–15 October, under the theme “Milk in all its forms”. Agroscope looks forward to attending the open days of its neighbour Grangeneuve and to meeting many visitors at the event.
RegioSkills regional championships
RegioSkills, the regional skills championships for trainee dairy technicians, is also taking place in Grangeneuve over the weekend of 14–15 October.
The three flagship events for October in Grangeneuve were presented to the press by the partners on Wednesday 4 October.
