Can food ignite conversations across generations and perspectives to help cultivate alive, sustainable communities? This is what we ask and develop in Food Heritage Dialogues, a participatory initiative led by OsloMet and partners in the Lofoten archipelago above the arctic circle. We’re exploring how the region’s iconic stockfish and other food traditions can anchor meaningful dialogue about food, tourism, local culture, and sustainability. Through community meals, storytelling, and creative engagement, we aim to nurture shared values and envision resilient futures.

The anchoring of the dialogues in the food culture of Lofoten is done through different activities:

• Activation of the Past: Through Slæsh, we’re training locals to gather 50 unique oral histories centered on Lofoten’s food heritage, ensuring rich, multi-generational voices are heard and preserved.
• Activation of the Present: Hybrid forums hosted by OsloMet/SIFO and Museum Nord bring together diverse and individuals and voces to share perspectives, build understanding, and explore what food heritage means in Lofoten today.
• Activation of the Future: With the Nord University leading, participants co-create “utopias” through workshops that translate personal memories into shared values, collaboratively charting possible futures for food, tourism, and sustainability in Lofoten.
• (Re)activating the Lofoten Food Manifesto: LoVe Utvikling are weaving insights from history, present forums, and utopia workshops into a living manifesto. It will represent a roadmap to preserve and celebrate Lofoten’s food heritage, with a vision for what comes next.
• Activating Stockfish Heritage: LoVe Utvikling are strengthening efforts to highlight the traditions behind stockfish making to safeguard this food cultural treasure.

Looking ahead

In the second phase (after month 18 in the project), we’ll put ideas into action. Finalizing and launching the Food Manifesto, rolling out exhibitions and gastronomic storytelling events, and crafting a practical handbook to share this model with other regions. It’s about turning dialogue into tangible, enduring change.