The Open Farm program, designed to showcase local producers, farms, and food processors, offers a new opportunity for those who wish to gain a closer understanding of the journey of local food, the daily life of rural communities, and the values of sustainable farming.
The Harghita Community Development Association officially presented the Open Farm program and its participants on May 26 at Timian Chalet in Ciaracio. The initiative aims to enable local farms and food-processing units to receive visitors in an organized and safe manner. Participating units open their gates to visitors upon prior registration, allowing them to observe daily farming activities and food production processes up close.
The program places strong emphasis on providing a high-quality visitor experience, as well as ensuring appropriate hygiene and safety conditions. Beyond knowledge-sharing, it also serves a community-building purpose by strengthening the connection between local producers and consumers, while contributing to the promotion of the region’s gastronomic and agri-tourism values.
Participants are also partners in the Open Farm weekends organized twice a year, during which farms welcome visitors with special programs, demonstrations, and tastings. The first Open Farm weekend will take place between May 29 and June 1, 2026. During the four-day event, farms across multiple locations will open their gates to visitors. The second weekend will be held on September 25–26, 2026.
The launch of Open Farm is closely linked to Harghita County’s preparation for holding the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2027, and represents an important milestone in the process of presenting the region’s gastronomic and cultural values in a coordinated and unified way, both nationally and internationally.
A total of 46 entrepreneurs applied to the program, of which 33 met the Open Farm criteria. Károly Szabó, Executive Director of the Harghita Community Development Association, which developed and coordinates the initiative, stated:
“By capitalizing on the awarded title, we continue to develop the county’s tourism offer and systematically integrate into the tourism circuit those places that can most authentically tell our story—the journey of food from producer to consumer.”
Further information, the Open Farm weekend program, and the list of participating farms are available on the Visit Harghita platforms.
European Region of Gastronomy
European Regions of Gastronomy (candidates and award holders), selected and managed by IGCAT, aim to contribute to improving the quality of life of their citizens by raising awareness of the importance of cultural and gastronomic uniqueness, while also:
• encouraging creativity and gastronomic innovation,
• providing intellectual nourishment to children and adults through culinary education,
• improving the standards of sustainable tourism,
• strengthening circular economies in both urban and rural environments,
• supporting the well-being and health of communities and the environment.
IGCAT provides the award with the support of international and European institutions. Regions also join the global platform of awarded and candidate Gastronomic Regions to foster long-term benefits, increase international visibility, and support knowledge exchange.
The European Region of Gastronomy title recognizes communities (cities, counties, regions, islands, or countries) that place strong emphasis on their gastronomic heritage within a framework of sustainable development and community cooperation. Preserving and protecting local foods, beverages, agricultural products, as well as cultural and natural assets, is a key priority.
The title is a recognition that widely promotes the achievements, programs, community cooperation, and responses to future challenges of the given region; however, it does not include a financial prize.
Members of the Harghita County consortium:
• Harghita County Council
• Harghita Community Development Association
• Miercurea Ciuc City Hall
• Odorheiu Secuiesc City Hall
• Gheorgheni City Hall
• Association of Székely Farmers’ Organizations
• Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, Faculty of Miercurea Ciuc
• Páva KulinarIQum Association
• Boro Info
• Honline Media (Székely Konyha és Kert)
• Association of Ciuc Hospitality Providers
• Pro Economica Foundation
