Representatives of Cittaslow

Bart van Strien
b.vanstrien@alphen-chaam.nl

Jacques Brummans
j.brummans@alphen-chaam.nl

During the annual meeting of International Cittaslow in Seoul on June 26, 2010 mayor Harrie Nuijten of the municipality of Alphen-Chaam received the charter of the certification of Cittaslow. 

Less than ten thousand residents live in an extraordinarily rich natural area of approximately ten thousand hectares between the towns of Tilburg en Breda.  Residents and visitors enjoy the space and quietness of vast forests, meadows, moorlands and sand dunes, streams and ponds. With the historical estates Anneville, Luchtenburg and Hondsdonk Alphen-Chaam is also culturally and historically a rich area. 

Geografical area Alphen-Chaam

The municipality of Alphen-Chaam is located between Breda and Tilburg and has the following villages and hamlets: Alphen / Bavel AC / Chaam / Galder / Strijbeek and Ulvenhout AC. The municipality was created January 1, 1997 by merging some of the former municipalities Alphen en Riel, the former municipality of Chaam and parts of Nieuw Ginneken..

Slow Food Presidia

Chaams Hoen (typical breed of chicken)

Kempisch Heideschaap (typical Sheep of the Kempen region)

Projects

Cittaslow is so called 'facet policy' in Alphen-Chaam. Added value for Cittaslow is an integral part of decisionmaking.  Cittaslow thus is integrated in making everyday decisions and long-term policies.  It enhances the awareness among policy makers, institutions, businesses and residents.  This keeps everyone aware and we continue to improve our standards. 

Local products

Alphen-Chaam has several local products. There are of course the products made of the 'Chaams Hoen' and the 'Kempisch Heideschaap'. Then there is the Alphen Honey, the homemade wines of the vineyards 'Dassemus' in Chaam  and 'Domaine d'Heerstaayen' in Strijbeek and last but not least the home made beer of brewery 'The Pimpelmees' in Chaam. Local agricultural entrepreneurs sell several products from home.