Harghita Community Development Association

26 May 2026

The Open Farm program, designed to showcase local producers, farms, and food processors, offers a new opportunity for anyone interested in gaining a closer understanding of the journey of local food, everyday rural life, and the values of sustainable agriculture.

On May 26, the Harghita Community Development Association officially introduced the Open Farm program and its participants at Timian Chalet in Ciaracio/Csaracsó. The initiative aims to enable local producers, farms, and food-processing businesses to welcome visitors in an organized and safe environment. Participating establishments open their gates to visitors by prior appointment, allowing guests to gain first-hand insight into daily farming activities and food production processes.

The program places strong emphasis on delivering a high-quality visitor experience while ensuring appropriate hygiene and safety standards. Beyond education and awareness-raising, 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 assets.

Participants in the program are also partners of the Open Farm Weekends, organized twice a year, during which farms welcome visitors with special activities, demonstrations, and tastings. The first Open Farm Weekend will take place from May 29 to June 1, 2026. During the four-day event, farms at multiple locations will open their doors to the public. The second Open Farm Weekend is scheduled for September 25–26, 2026.

The launch of Open Farm is closely linked to Harghita County’s preparations for holding the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2027. It marks an important milestone in the process of presenting the region’s gastronomic and cultural values in a coordinated manner and under a unified brand, both nationally and internationally.

A total of 46 businesses applied to join the program, of which 33 met the Open Farm eligibility criteria. Szabó Károly, executive director of the Harghita Community Development Association, which developed and coordinates the initiative, stated: “Building on the opportunities created by this prestigious title, we continue to expand 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 Visit Harghita’s platforms.

European Region of Gastronomy

European Regions of Gastronomy (candidate and awarded), guided by IGCAT, aim to contribute to a better quality of life for their citizens by raising awareness about the importance of cultural and food uniqueness, and in doing so:

stimulate creativity and gastronomic innovation
nourish children and adults through culinary education
improve sustainable tourism standards
strengthen circular economies in both urban and rural settings
support community and environmental well-being and health

IGCAT provides the Award, with the support of International and European institutions. The regions also join a World Platform of awarded and candidate Regions of Gastronomy in order to foster long-term benefits, increase international visibility and support sharing of knowledge.

The title of European Gastronomic Region recognises communities (cities, counties, regions, islands or countries) that place a strong emphasis on their gastronomic heritage through community collaboration and sustainable development. They attach particular importance to the preservation and protection of local food, drink, agricultural products and their cultural and natural values.

The label is a recognition that widely promotes the region's achievements, programmes, community cohesion and responses to future challenges, but it does not come with a cash prize.

Members of the Harghita County Consortium: