Case Study
IL PANIERE DEL PARCO (The Basket of the Park)
Contact name
Stefano Santi
Institution name
Prealpi Giulie Nature Park
Region & country
Friuli-Venezia Giulia - Italy
Summary
Prealpi Giulie Nature Park is a protected area in the Italian Eastern Alps. Six Municipalities are interested in the Park. In the last years, agriculture has dramatically declined and only a few professional farmers resist. Together with them, there’s still a quite widespread family farming activity. Part of this activity is dedicated to the cultivation or preparation of local typical products such as:
- Aglio di Resia / Garlic of Resia;
- Zucca di Venzone / Pumpkin of Venzone;
- Brovadâr di Moggio / Sour turnip of Moggio;
- Fagiolo Fiorina di Lusevera / Fiorina Bean of Lusevera;
- Formaggio di Malga Montasio / Montasio Mountain Farm Cheese;
- Any of these products is produced in one Municipality and the all of them, together, compose the Basket of the Park.
Locally grown garlic, Resia (UD) - Italy
Photo by: Cristina Buttolo
Local products, Moggio Udinese (UD) - Italy
Photo by: Paolo Da Pozzo
Montasio cheese, Malga Montasio (UD) - Italy
Photo by: AAVG
Background of the project
As already mentioned agriculture in the area is very week. Some previous efforts led only by the Municipalities or local Institution didn’t give any good result. So, especially young people decided to abandon all farming activities, even the part-time ones. For this reason, it was very difficult to find local products and to eat them in the restaurants. Also, the landscape has changed since the forest has gained more and more space occupying the former fields.
- Motivating people;
- Showing good examples of other similar areas;
- Involve local communities and research centres in the choices;
- Inform and train local producers;
- Increase production of typical products;
- Promote them to the wide public and to local restaurants;
- Help to sell products responsibly.
Solution and actions taken
To create an umbrella project (PANIERE DEL PARCO) in order to coordinate all activities in the area.
- To involve in the project local producers, farmers’ associations, Municipalities, research institutions;
- To grant a minimum level of technical assistance;
- To adequately label some of these products (e.g. Slow Food, traditional agrifood by the Italian Ministery of Agriculture, …);
- To inform and to train producers;
- To inform about opportunities of funding;
- To present them best practice;
- To promote the project and the products;
- To present the project and the products during fairs and events.
Other institutions or parties involved
- Municipalities;
- Pro Loco (Local Tourist Associations);
- Farmers’ associations;
- Research institutes;
- University;
- ERSA (Regional Institution for Rural Development).
Results
- More motived and self-confident producer;
- More familiarity to work in partnership;
- More product to sell (also processed product);
- A few new professional farmers;
- More contacts and exchanges with restaurants and shops.
Challenges
- Unfamiliarity to work in partnership;
- Difficulties to be autonomous;
- Bureaucracy;
- The necessity to constantly push Municipalities;
- Fiscal frame;
- Fragmentation of property.
Lessons learned
- No one can win the battle alone: neither private business nor the public institutions nor the associations;
- The road has just begun; it’s a long way but it’s the right one.
Contact name
Stefano Santi
Institution name
Prealpi Giulie Nature Park
Website(s)
