In 1998 Astrid and her husband Perry founded Gangstad Gårdsysteri, the first authorised small-scale cheese factory in Norway.
“We started the cheese production because of low profit in traditional milk production”, Astrid says. The cheese is made from the farm’s fresh dairy milk and sold in the farm shop, on markets and in selected stores and restaurants all over the country as well as Hurtigruta, the coastal express of Norway.
And the farm has long traditions. “My grandfather bought this farm in 1913, and we took over the farm from my parents in 1983”, Astrid explains. “Today our son Ole Morten and his family has moved home to take part in production. The farm produce about 300.000 liter of milk, and we have 40 hektar agricultural land.”
Since the early beginnings of Gangstad Gårdsysteri, their cheeses have won numerous awards and competitions, leading to more and more loyal customers. In 2008 they expanded the product range and started the production of ice cream based on natural flavours with no artificial additives. They also produce marmalades suitable for cheese, biscuits and natural yoghurt.
Astrid is very eager to promote that the road would have been a lot longer if they were standing alone. “Cooperation is important, and we work with many other companies in Inderøy” Astrid says. It is evident this means a lot to her.
Since 1998 many food producers and other experience providers have cooperated under the name “The Golden Road”. It is a suggestion on driving a different way than the fastest lane. The route passes through beautiful scenery in Inderøy municipality, with food, art and cultural experiences along the way. You can visit the artists in their workshops, the farmers with their farm food, historical memorials, gallery and art museum, sculpture park – and seat and sleep well in calm surroundings.
And Astrid likes being a part of the Golden Road. “The pace is often a bit slower in Inderøy, something you will notice when visiting”, she says. “The way we work along the Golden Road has been an inspiration for similar initiatives both in our region and in Norway.
The development of local specialities, the quality and variety has had an impressing growth in this region the last 15 years. No place in Norway has more producers of local food and handcraft beer than Trøndelag. I am proud of being one of the pioneers and being a part of this strong food region.”
