The food province
Well-known traditional South Ostrobothian foods are hard beard, kropsut, vohlut, Finnish squeaky cheeses, klimppi soup, barley grain porridge, rye porridge, läskisoosi and foods made of herring and blood. South Ostrobothnian food is simple but gallant when served in a party.
The annual Ruokamessut food fair in Kauhajoki brings forth food products from small entrepreneurs. The originality shows not only in the products, but also in the food fair environment, which is positively different from the usual fair halls.
South Ostrobothnia is a true food province. The area has c. 4% of the population of Finland, but up to 14% of the country's food is produced here. Primary production is strong, and there's a long tradition of agriculture in the area. The majority of food producers in the region are small and medium-sized businesses. The biggest food companies represent dairy and meat production and the baking industry.
One of the oldest independent food companies in South Ostrobothnia is the Ilmajoki cooperative dairy, offering numerous tasty dairy products.
