Impact of Locavorism on the Gastronomic Tourism Development in Sumy Region

The purpose of the study is to determine the impact of locavorism on the development of gastronomic tourism the Sumy region. The research methodology is based on the collection of factual data, the synthesis and analysis of information material, and the study of scientific and practical developments of domestic and foreign experts in the field of gastronomic tourism. Locavorism as a model of food consumption, features of this concept, reasons and history of its occurrence are analyzed. The main signs of locavorism and the connection with gastronomic tourism have been studied. Examples of reflecting the principles of locavorism in the Sumy region through authentic dishes and gastronomic festivals are presented. Five basic principles of locavorism are identified: consumption of only local food (grown and produced in the region of human habitation), seasonality (characterized by consumption of fruits and vegetables according to the season, refusal of imported food), environmental friendliness (due to reduced globalization and logistics costs load on the environment), naturalness (rejection of products grown by genetic engineering technologies), support for local producers (use of products made by local producers). The analysis showed that locavorism has many positive features. These are, in particular, the revival and popularization of traditional regional cuisine, the development of local producers of agricultural products and producers of organic products, the creation of local craft enterprises, the reduction of imports, the positive impact on ecology, and the improvement of the population health, which in the long run will contribute to the health of the nation. It has been established that the development of locavorism will make it possible to establish a direct connection between urban consumers and rural producers, which will enable craft producers to sell their products at decent prices and will contribute to the development of rural areas, and increase the rural population employment