Coop’s move of Jæren’s beloved meat dish sparks local outrage

A decision by Coop Obs in Bryne, Rogaland, to relocate its iconic farse—a traditional meat patty served in bread—from the kiosk to a refrigerated display inside the store has triggered strong reactions among locals, reports Dagbladet.

The change is part of the supermarket’s new lunch concept, launched this week after six months of planning. While the store still offers farse in one or two bread rolls, it is now pre-packaged and sold alongside other lunch options, including a newly introduced salad bar.

“We wanted to go all in—‘go big or go home,’” said store manager Ole Sirevåg, acknowledging the shift has stirred emotions. “It’s generated a lot of engagement.”

Local truck driver Morten Vatland, a customer since 1977, called the change a “tragic experience.” “I say it like it is: this annoys me because it worked fine before,” he told Jærbladet, which first reported the story. Vatland, who prefers the vegetable farse in one bread roll, questioned whether the new setup would deter customers.

The dish, often called Jæren’s unofficial “national dish,” dates back to 1972 when the Domus department store began serving it as a large meat cake, initially wrapped in paper before evolving into its bread-roll form. Over time, it became a staple, sold first in the deli section and later at the entrance kiosk.

Sirevåg noted that while some customers have criticized the limited variety in the new display, sales have surged since the change, with farse now selling throughout the day instead of just during peak lunch hours. “We cover a large area, and people should be able to get their lunch here—whether they work at the center or are just passing through,” he said.

The store plans to expand the concept further, including adding side dishes in the future.