Meet one of Tromsø's most passionate meat producers.
Meet one of Tromsø's most passionate meat producers.
We meet Sandra Mydland at Mydland, a cornerstone business that has produced quality meat in Tromsø for more than 100 years.
She is a fifth-generation meat producer and works today as operations manager.
"I plan production and I am responsible for everything to do with quality."
Since the modest start at Skippergata 15, the business has grown step by step. Today there are 40 employees, which makes it a fairly large company by Tromsø standards. Mydland is now 103 years old.
"The business has stayed in the family the whole way, with steady, solid growth. That bodes well for the future," Sandra says.
She is grateful to have inherited the proud traditions of meat production.
"It is an enormous responsibility. You feel it. Mydland is a strong brand in Northern Norway and Tromsø. We want to carry the history and the traditions forward by looking after that quality."
"What is the secret to lasting this long?"
"The secret is to be dedicated and loyal, and to keep the quality up. It is about every step of the work you do. Be conscious about doing it properly — or don't do it," Sandra answers.
She does not hide that there is strong competition from national chains.
It is difficult. There is always pressure from the big chains. We are small in the bigger picture, and at the same time a fairly large company in Northern Norway. We cannot sacrifice our quality and our values. We will not compromise there, and that is what has let us survive for 100 years.
She says it means a great deal that people from all over the world ask for their products when they visit Tromsø.
"That is what keeps us going. It is wonderful to see. It feels as if we are on the right track. We appreciate that visitors come and want something local. At the same time we are glad that so many locals also value food from nearby. It makes us proud," says Sandra Mydland.
