Environmental and digital innovation in food: The role of digital food hubs in the creation of sustainable local agri-food systems.

This document is based on the study of what a local digital food hub is. Topics such as the sustainability of agri-food systems, de-agrarianization and the causes related to them are covered, but also such principles as "shared value", useful for improving the competitiveness of a company as well as the economical and social conditions within the communities in which it operates. In addition to these discussions, an excursus is created on the actual developments of the models ranging from "field to table", with the new possibilities obtained from modern types of distribution networks, particularly focusing on Food Hubs and the first reasons for the validity of the system. Having explained these issues, the focus shifts exclusively to the Food Hub topic, defining what it is and what the models used for its different structures are, also based on the social and local contexts in which this reality is located or created. The results of the study highlight the presence of Food Hubs already developed and functioning in the USA, although they are almost non-existent in Europe and Italy where they could be a source of economic recovery in this sector, with the possibility of both digital and non-digital development. The presence of the only concrete example of a food hub in Italy is highlighted. Also, the current problems faced by Italian politics are considered regarding the possible legislative evolutions for the innovation and digitization of businesses, supported by the new financial programs envisaged by the "New Generation EU" European Plan, through which substantial funds have been allocated to Italy, also for the development of digital innovations and the enhancement of Italian products, as well as the "made in Italy" brand.

The Mediterranean diet from past to future: Key concepts from the second "Ancel Keys" International Seminar.

The year 2020 celebrated the tenth anniversary of the recognition of the Mediterranean Diet as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee. This event represented a milestone in the history of nutrition, as the Mediterranean diet was the first traditional food practice to receive such award. Since then, a lot has been discussed not only on the beneficial aspects of the Mediterranean diet, but also on its complex role as a lifestyle model that includes a set of skills, knowledge and intercultural dialogue. This process ended up with the recognition in 2019 of Mediterranean diet as a possibly universal model of healthy diet from the EAT-Lancet Commission. These concepts were widely debated at the 2019 "Ancel Keys" International Seminar, held in Ascea (Italy) (for more information see: www.mediterraneandietseminar.org) with the aim to stimulate interest and awareness of a young group of participants on the current problems inherent to the effective implementation of the Mediterranean diet. The present article collects the contributions of several lecturers at the Seminar on key issues such as methodological and experimental approach, sustainability, molecular aspects in disease prevention, future exploitation, without neglecting a historical view of the Seven Countries Study. From the Seminar conclusions emerged a still vibrant and modern role of Mediterranean diet. The years to come will see national and international efforts to reduce the barriers that limit adherence to Mediterranean diet in order to plan for multi-factorial and targeted interventions that would guide our populations to a sustainable healthy living.

Preservation of the cultural identity of regional products / Preservar la identidad cultural de los productos regionales / Preservação da identidade cultural de produtos regionais

Introduction: The preservation of traditional foods makes food available to the marketwith symbolic character, representatives of food heritage and with specific qualities.Therefore, the standardization of the production process through the TechnicalPreparation Form, represents a viable alternative to preserve the regionalcharacteristics of the products. Objective: This study aimed to prepare Technical DataSheets for the preparation of regional products, as an instrument to promote qualityand preserve local practices and knowledge of preparations prepared by a cooperativein the Baixo Sul region, Bahia. Method: Initially an on-site visit was carried out in orderto characterize the food production sites and the groups of farmers participating in thecooperative, then a form was applied to establish the selection criteria for thepreparations. Next, five products were chosen to be standardized, right after theproduction was monitored, followed by the preparation of the Technical PreparationSheets. Results: Technical data sheets were prepared for the preparation of genipapcandy, peanut butter, unsweetened banana biscuits, gum biscuits and cocoa jelly. Theproduction is 100% handcrafted and has great cultural value, as they are made fromraw materials present in the territory following tradition, whose culinary practices areshared among family members for generations. Conclusion: The preparation ofTechnical Preparation Sheets made it possible to standardize regional preparations,contributing to quality, as well as reducing the waste of raw materials, making use ofavailable resources in the region, reducing costs, local development and preservingcultural identity preparations made by the cooperative.

Introducción: La conservación de los alimentos tradicionales pone a disposición del mercado simbólico de alimentos, representantes del patrimonio alimentario y con cualidades específicas. Así, la estandarización del proceso productivo a través del Formulario de Preparación Técnica, representa una alternativa viable para preservar características regionales de los productos. Objetivo: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo elaborar Fichas Técnicas para la elaboración de productos regionales, como instrumento de promover la calidad y preservar las prácticas locales y el conocimiento de los preparados elaborado por una cooperativa en la región de Baixo Sul, Bahía. Método: Inicialmente Se realizó una visita in situ para caracterizar los sitios de producción de alimentos y los grupos de agricultores que participan en la cooperativa, posteriormente el aplicación de un formulario para establecer los criterios de selección de los preparados. Em Luego se eligieron cinco productos para estandarizarlos, justo después La producción fue monitoreada, seguida de la preparación de la Técnica de preparación. Resultados: Se prepararon fichas técnicas de preparación de balas. de genipap, beiju de maní, galleta de plátano sin azúcar, galleta de chicle y mermelada de cacao. La producción es 100% artesanal y tiene un gran valor cultural, ya que son elaborado con materias primas presentes en el territorio siguiendo la tradición, cuyas prácticas culinarias se comparten entre los miembros de la familia durante generaciones. Conclusión: La elaboración de Fichas de Preparación Técnica permitió estandarizar la preparativos regionales, contribuyendo a la calidad y reduciendo desperdicio de materias primas, uso de recursos disponibles en la región, reducción de costos, desarrollo local y preservación de la identidad cultural del preparaciones elaboradas por la cooperativa.

Introdução: A preservação de alimentos tradicionais disponibiliza para omercado alimentos com caráter simbólico, representantes do patrimônio alimentar ecom qualidades específicas. Sendo assim, a padronização do processo produtivoatravés da Ficha Técnica de Preparo, representa uma alternativa viável para preservaras características regionais dos produtos. Objetivo: Este estudo objetivou elaborarFichas Técnicas de Preparo de produtos regionais, como um instrumento depromoção de qualidade e de preservação de práticas e saberes locais de preparaçõeselaboradas por uma cooperativa na região do Baixo Sul, Bahia. Método: Inicialmenterealizou-se visita in loco visando caracterizar os locais de produção dos alimentos eos grupos de agricultoras participantes da cooperativa, posteriormente realizou-se aaplicação de formulário para estabelecer os critérios de seleção das preparações. Emseguida foram escolhidos cinco produtos para serem padronizados, logo apósrealizou-se o acompanhamento da produção, seguido da elaboração das FichasTécnica de Preparo. Resultados: Elaborou-se Fichas Técnicas de Preparo da balade jenipapo, beiju de amendoim, biscoito de banana sem açúcar, biscoito de goma egeléia de cacau. A produção é 100% artesanal e possui grande valor cultural, pois sãoelaborados a partir de matérias-primas presentes no território seguindo a tradição,cujas práticas culinárias são compartilhadas entre os familiares por gerações.Conclusão: A elaboração das Fichas Técnicas de Preparo possibilitou padronizar aspreparações regionais, contribuindo para a qualidade, bem como para a diminuiçãodo desperdício de matéria-prima, aproveitamento dos recursos disponíveis na região,redução de custos, desenvolvimento local e preservação da identidade cultural daspreparações elaboradas pela cooperativa.  

Fichas Técnicas de Preparações Regionais como instrumento para preservação da identidade cultural / Technical Sheets of Regional Preparations as an instrument for the preservation of cultural identity

Introdução: A preservação de alimentos tradicionais disponibiliza, para o mercado, alimentos com caráter simbólico, representantes do patrimônio alimentar e com qualidades específicas. Sendo assim, a padronização do processo produtivo através da Ficha Técnica de Preparo representa uma alternativa viável para preservar as características regionais dos produtos. Objetivo: Este estudo objetivou elaborar Fichas Técnicas de Preparo de produtos regionais como um instrumento de promoção de qualidade e de preservação de práticas e saberes locais de preparações elaboradas por uma cooperativa na região do Baixo Sul, Bahia. Método: Inicialmente, realizou-se visita in loco visando caracterizar os locais de produção dos alimentos e os grupos de agricultoras participantes da cooperativa; posteriormente, aplicou-se formulário para estabelecer os critérios de seleção das preparações. Em seguida, foram escolhidos cinco produtos para serem padronizados; logo após realizou-se o acompanhamento da produção, seguido da elaboração das Fichas Técnicas de Preparo. Resultados: Elaboraram-se Fichas Técnicas de Preparo da bala de jenipapo, beiju de amendoim, biscoito de banana sem açúcar, biscoito de goma e geleia de cacau. A produção é 100% artesanal e possui grande valor cultural, pois são elaborados a partir de matérias-primas presentes no território seguindo a tradição, cujas práticas culinárias são compartilhadas entre os familiares por gerações. Conclusão: A elaboração das Fichas Técnicas de Preparo possibilitou padronizar as preparações regionais, contribuindo para a qualidade, bem como para a diminuição do desperdício de matéria-prima, aproveitamento dos recursos disponíveis na região, redução de custos, desenvolvimento local e preservação da identidade cultural das preparações elaboradas pela cooperativa. (AU)

Introduction: The preservation of traditional foods makes available, to the market, foods with a symbolic character, representatives of the food heritage, and with specific qualities. Thus, the standardization of the production process through the Technical Data Sheet for Preparation represents a viable alternative to preserve the regional characteristics of the products. Objective: This study aimed to prepare Technical Data Sheets for the Preparation of regional products as an instrument to promote quality and preserve local practices and knowledge of preparations made by a cooperative in the Baixo Sul region, Bahia. Method: Initially, an on-site visit was carried out to characterize the food production sites and the groups of farmers participating in the cooperative; later, a form was applied to establish the selection criteria for the preparations. Then, five products were chosen to be standardized; soon after, the production was monitored, followed by the preparation of Technical Data Sheets. Results: Technical Sheets for the Preparation of genipap candy, peanut beiju, sugar-free banana biscuit, gum biscuit, and cocoa jelly were prepared. The production is 100% artisanal and has significant cultural value, as they are made from raw materials present in the territory, following tradition, whose culinary practices have been shared among family members for generations. Conclusion: The preparation of Technical Data Sheets made it possible to standardize regional preparations, contributing to quality, as well as the reduction of wasting of raw materials, using available resources in the region, reducing costs, local development, and preservation of cultural identity preparations made by the cooperative. (AU)