Two new Slow Food presidia: “Pruna di frati” from Terranova and “Piparelle” from Villa San Giovanni, were presented at Palazzo Alvaro, headquarters of the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria. These are two identifying gastronomic products of the Reggio area, better safeguarded and enhanced thanks to the commitment of the Institution, an institutional promoter that supported the producers involved by Slow Food.
The metropolitan mayor was present for the occasion Giuseppe Falcomatà, the deputy mayor Carmelo Versace and the former metropolitan councilor delegate for Agriculture, now Reggio municipal councilor Giuseppe Giordano. They were present for Slow Food Michelangelo D'Ambrosio, president of Slow Food Calabria, Francesco Saccà, Presidia manager of Slow Food Reggio Calabria, Francesco Foti, manager of the Presidia for the Slow Food Convivium on the Strait and Costa Viola side, Massimo Arena, president of the association of producers of the Slow Food Presidium “Piparelle of Villa San Giovanni”, Valerio Crinò, representative of “Pruna di frati di Terranova” producers, in addition to the representatives of the four municipalities affected by the new Presidia, Villa San Giovanni, with the mayor Giusy Caminiti, Terranova Sappo Minulio, with the mayor Ettore Tigani, Molochio, with the mayor Marco Giuseppe Caruso, and Varapodio, with the mayor Orlando Fazzolari. Also in the room were the producers of the companies involved.
In Calabria, it has been said, there are 12 Slow Food Presidia active, of which five are present in the Reggio metropolitan area, these are the Belladonna orange from Villa San Giuseppe, the Caciocavallo di Ciminà, the Capicollo Azeanca Grecanico and the last two entries : Piparelle and Pruna di frati, which bring together a total of 25 producers.
Palazzo Alvaro's commitment was made to pay particular attention to and protect typical products that were in danger of disappearing. The collaboration with Slow Food has guaranteed that we can make the most of them, embracing the ethical principles of the Presidia.
In greeting those present, the metropolitan mayor Giuseppe Falcomatà thanked councilor Giordano “for the passion and commitment he has shown in carrying forward these paths of protection and valorization of valuable productions of the area”. It is important to highlight – he added – that those who invest in the area do not feel alone from an institutional point of view. These recognitions are only a first step for the Metrocity – concluded Falcomatà – with the hope that the necessary delegations will soon arrive from the Calabria Region to be able to plan further interventions in this area”.
“A synergy has been born with Slow Food which is bearing important fruit – said councilor Giordano – the path that we have already inaugurated with the Belladonna orange presidium has continued with the Terranova plum and the Piparelle from Villa San Giovanni. worked on quality by offering as a metropolitan body the role of institutional guarantor, which is not limited only to investing resources. Safeguarding niche productions – he concluded – means contributing to the development of the local metropolitan economy”.
“Two other excellences of our territory are joining the Slow Food network – Deputy Mayor Versace then highlighted – it is a beautiful page of institutional commitment also because we protect the identity of our productions, with the hope that they will meet ever greater interest in national and international markets. The first stage of an important journey is concluded – added the deputy mayor – and we hope that with the acquisition of the functions of the metropolitan city we can further perfect this proximity project alongside the agricultural production sector”.