Enhancing local Agriculture food chain to reduce ecological impact and climate change: The Metropolitan City of Bologna set out at Ecomondo 2021 its proposals for making the Local Farming and High Quality Products Direct Sales networks even more sustainable, resilient and attractive thanks to the SinCE-AFC project good practices
Among the most recent processes of recovery and innovation in the chain of production, distribution and consumption of agricultural products, the role of local markets is becoming increasingly relevant. This importance stems first and foremost from the profound innovation of local markets themselves, which is possible thanks to the new roles that they are gradually taking on in quality production and marketing, food education, socialization with local and rural communities, and the promotion and enhancement of agricultural skills. Thanks to "farm 2.0" the farm is being transformed in many territories. Not only that, but local markets are becoming factors of urban regeneration and revitalization, of interchange between different urban segments of the population living in neighbourhoods, peripheral areas, and areas in the historic centre of towns and cities. There is therefore an opportunity to promote and disseminate, even in the network of local and farmers' markets, forms of circular economy that focus on reusing packaging, recycling raw and secondary materials, eliminating waste and optimizing food logistics.
These are the issues that Mr. Marino Cavallo, Manager of the Metropolitan City of Bologna, presented on Monday 26 October in his paper "Enhancing local Agriculture food chain to reduce ecological impact and climate change" for the session "The European climate neutrality objectives: policies and investments for a competitive and sustainable agri-food supply chain", at the Ecomondo 2021 International Exhibition.
Dr. Maurizio Notarfonso, chairman of the session and Head of European Projects, Environment and Young Entrepreneurs Area of Federalimentare (The Italian food and beverages industry national federation), also presented the poster prepared by the Metropolitan City of Bologna to illustrate in a brief and effective way the identifying elements of the SinCE-AFC Project that aims to improve policies on regional innovation strategies, facilitating horizontal mechanisms that support and promote entrepreneurship of SMEs in the agri-food sector through the opportunities of the circular economy.
In the poster, the results of a survey on farmers' markets in the Metropolitan Area of Bologna were also described. On the basis of these studies, about 20 local markets were identified and, in particular, the Bolognese Farmer Market "Mercato Ritrovato" was identified as a good practice within the SinCE-AFC project.
The findings of these studies were that by creating a synergy between agricultural and agri-food companies in the metropolitan area, a wider range of consumers could be reached, increasing sales potential thanks to the business models of the circular economy.
You can find the agenda of the event here.
