Small towns, small territories. The agricultural and food biodiversity’ secret

The villages retain the characteristics of agricultural and food biodiversity, so significant for the Italian reality. The differentiation in the culture of food, existing in Italy, derived largely from the characteristics of the territory. A multiplicity of peoples took turns in the country and a multiplicity of contacts local communities have entertained with other cultures. The landscapes of vineyards and olive trees, of rice fields, of wheat, of vegetable gardens and orchards, show how environmental connotations have been transformed into economic opportunities. Since ancient times, Latin writers have identified food specialties with places of production. If Rome was the central market of antiquity, in the Middle Ages a network of food markets was born that ensure the circulation of quality food products. Even the Renaissance texts on food culture always refer to the link between food and small local towns. A vitality recorded up to the present day also thanks to the creation of guides such as those of the Touring Club or INSOR. Therefore the «borghi» are and continue to be the beating heart of agricultural and food biodiversity