½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

[QUOTE=Annie T]This weekend there is an organic food festival in Bristol. Is there anything similar in Italy, more specifically Le Marche? Is there interest in organic food and are there outlets, farmers markets as there are in England?[/QUOTE]
If anything, Italy is ahead of the UK in this respect. As well as organic food (Biologica in ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ), there is the Slow Food movement which exists to promote the very finest in traditional regional recipes. Slow Food organises events across Italy to allow people to sample the best of agricultural produce and to experience traditional styles of cooking.

I have a mild scepticism about organic food, we farm our land without fertilisers, pesticides or other agrochemicals. We have not got organic status, for the land. Our neighbour has organic status and is permitted to use seven pesticides on his crops (same rules apply in the UK) this means that the "organic" food he produces has more pesticides in it that our own product.

I prefer the Slow Food approach, which simply demands the highest standards from the growers and chefs.

[QUOTE=lotaresco]If anything, Italy is ahead of the UK in this respect. As well as organic food (Biologica in ½ûÂþÌìÌÃ), there is the Slow Food movement which exists to promote the very finest in traditional regional recipes. Slow Food organises events across Italy to allow people to sample the best of agricultural produce and to experience traditional styles of cooking.

I have a mild scepticism about organic food, we farm our land without fertilisers, pesticides or other agrochemicals. We have not got organic status, for the land. Our neighbour has organic status and is permitted to use seven pesticides on his crops (same rules apply in the UK) this means that the "organic" food he produces has more pesticides in it that our own product.

I prefer the Slow Food approach, which simply demands the highest standards from the growers and chefs.[/QUOTE]

I think slow food is a better concept to promote as it would incorporate the best of the organic growers ideologies as well. It also serves to support the local farming community, as you favour local produce over imported produce where possible, and regional specialities over 'international standard fare'.

Yes, I am inclined to agree with you both. There is some cynicism here about organic food and dissatisfaction with the likes of the Soil Association who, some say, are more interested in promoting the Soil Association than in good food.
I know of the Slow Food movement, indeed we have a Slow Food market in Bristol every month. But who cares what it is called? A rose by any other name... I just want tasty, nutritious, local, chemical and pesticide free food in season. Strawberries in December? Pah!

I was doing some research and found these interesting statistics and additional information about organic food in Italy:

[url]http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/DOCREP/004/Y1669E/y1669e0a.htm[/url]

Great link!! Everything you ever wanted to know about ½ûÂþÌìÌà fruit and Veg but were afraid to ask - I had to go for a lie down after that.