FROM AGRIMARKETS TO WINERIES: CORENET SHOWCASES ITALIAN SFSC ADVISORY SUCCESSES IN CAGLIARI FIELD VISITS
On June the 27th 2024, Campagna Amica Cagliari in collaboration with Coldiretti Sardegna organised the Italian field visit for the COREnet action, which was supported by the presence of project representatives arriving from all over Europe.
The initiative aimed at sharing knowledge and experiences about SFSC advisory practices implemented in Italy, and in particular to learn about the technical support and advisory services identified in the Italian Golden cases.
The field visits have been carried out in four different locations. The first stop was at the Campagna Amica Agrimarket, funded and promoted by Coldiretti. Since 2008, Fondazione Campagna Amica is a reference point for the agricultural sector, supporting the direct sale of made in Italy products, tourism in the countryside and sustainability. While bringing buyers and producers together, Campagna Amica is dedicated to all citizens, promoting sustainable practices of short food supply chain, and in defense of biodiversity. The Campagna Amica Agrimarket is located in a central and historical area of the Sardinian capital, the Basilica Bonaria. A few steps away, an explosion of flavours, colours, and scents of the market has long welcomed the people of Cagliari and tourists with its local food excellences.
The second visit involved Casa Ortofrutta, a local grocery store selling local and safe products, taken from controlled supply chains. Other than in Cagliari, in Sardinia there are two other stores, in Quartu and in Sestu, and the association also provides a home delivery service.
Afterwards, the COREnet team moved to Agriturismo Santu Marcialis, situated in Soleminis. The agritourism is a place immersed in green, where visitors can spend holidays and experience the local environment. Before the agritourism was built, the Santu Marcialis farm was purchased in 1965 by the Brogi family, which manages the business today. Back in the day, the family first invested in land improvement and planted vineyards. The grapes produced were delivered to the Dolianova cellars, last stop of the field visits day. During the 80s, with new regional laws, the vineyards were harvested out and the money received was invested in the construction of the agritourism. After an interesting debate with the owner, participants stopped for lunch, thus being able to enjoy local and fresh products.
The final visit took place in the Cantine di Dolianova, those same cellars that received grapes even by the Santu Marcialis. It does not come as a surprise, as Dolianova is the largest winery in Sardinia. With over 1200 hectars of vineyards, the winery sells 4 million bottles every year, exporting products even to America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. The cellars are located in the Southern part of Sardinia, an area characterised by low hills, where the weather is usually sunny and warm. The winery quality is founded on the union of 35 growers who joined forces to realise a common dream, and today counts over 300 associates.
During this day the participants had opportunity to connect and directly interview producers and advisors, but also provide suggestions and exchange experiences for improving/adapting the advisory services to the specific needs of the local farms and for the benefit of the regional short food chain.
Click on the image below and explore the COREnet visits photo gallery!
Photo credits: Leonardo Improta (ICONS)
