The food chain "from farm to fork" is an important part of the business sector in Kalmar County, but there is a need of development and innovation in order to grow further. Kalmar County has therefore developed a "Food Strategy 2016-2025". The overall objective is to develop Kalmar County into a well-known food region of the highest class. In this application we are seeking support to develop one of the prioritized actions in our food strategy - a "Competence Council Food" for Kalmar County. During 2016, we want to develop a model for how to strengthen collaboration between companies and schools in the food sector, so as to raise the quality and attractiveness and better meet both the individual and the industry's needs. This model could then be applied also in a larger geography or in other sectors. This feasibility study will • Form a "Competence Council Food 2016" with representatives, both private and public, throughout the chain from farm to fork (primary production, processing industry, restaurants, canteens, grocery stores) and to suggest how to work after the feasibility study is completed. • Integrate gender in all project activities and in particular how women and men are recruited and addressed in schools and workplaces. The long term objective is a gender balance in schools and at workplaces. • Investigate the possibilities to increase the collaboration between food-related programs, and undertake joint activities. This means to develop a proposal for a common “food-college” or expanded cooperation in other forms, to reach a collaboration between existing program advisory / management teams, to look at the possibility for common/new polytechnic educations and to develop a cooperation model for lifelong learning.