City of Salo leads the way in hygienic dispensing

Salo did not settle for following others – it chose to lead the way. The city was the first in the world to introduce FOODDUCK® spread dispensers back in 2015. This marked the beginning of a long and successful partnership that has brought better hygiene, less waste, and plenty of positive feedback to schools and the city hall restaurant.

Salo in Western Finland became the first city in the world to introduce FOODDUCK® spread dispensers. The devices were piloted in spring 2015, and in the following autumn they were introduced in four different schools as well as the beautiful restaurant Kaneliomena (‘Cinnamon apple’) at the city hall. The convenience, hygiene, and reduced waste provided by the spread dispensers represented significant improvements compared to the time before the dispensers.

“I appreciate Foodduck’s commitment to responsibility, making it part of the City of Salo’s strategy and future,” says nutrition and cleaning services manager Anu Sorvari-Happonen.

Sari Tammi, an employee at the Kaneliomena café and restaurant in Salo City Hall, adds that Salo can genuinely be proud of its bold decision to become part of Foodduck’s success story – a story of Finnish expertise and innovation.

Observation that led to long-term cooperation

The initiative to test FOODDUCK® came from the principal of Toija school, Risto Hemmilä. He had often thought that the school restaurant’s spread station should be cleaner. Spread tubs easily became breeding grounds for germs as they collected bread crumbs and hundreds of children used the same knives – especially during flu season. When Hemmilä first heard about the FOODDUCK® spread dispensers, it immediately sounded like a solution to these challenges.

”The device works well on the serving line, and the lunch queue moves faster than before. Children are positively curious and learn how to use the device instantly,” says Hemmilä. 

Hemmilä has also noticed benefits from a health education perspective. Previously, many children tended to use far too much spread on their bread, but now the dispenser ensures that the amount is always just right.

Growing number of devices year by year

Over the years, the use of spread dispensers has gradually expanded throughout Salo. The devices are now used in units of different sizes, some serving a considerable number of diners every day. Serving spreads has become smoother, while both food waste and plastic waste have been reduced – goals that support the city’s sustainability strategy.

The hygiene offered by FOODDUCK® dispensers played an especially important role during epidemic periods, when safety and cleanliness became even more critical. Through positive user experiences, the devices have established themselves as a natural part of everyday dining.

Partnership that shaped Foodduck’s legacy

Timo Sorsavirta, CEO of Foodduck Oy, thanks the people of Salo for their pioneering spirit and the City of Salo for its open-mindedness in adopting new practices:

“Our cooperation with Salo will always be something remarkable in our company’s history. We often mention abroad that Salo was our very first customer. This always sparks positive discussion, since Salo is internationally known for Nokia and high technology. Therefore, it is especially wonderful to say that the first flight of our intelligent ducks also started from Salo.”

“During the pilot phase, we received valuable feedback for refining the product and improving the practical user experience from real-life situations. Now, during full-scale use, it has been great to see how naturally FOODDUCK® has become part of daily life for both pupils and city hall restaurant customers,” Sorsavirta concludes.