Autogrillpart of Avolta, e Qualivita Foundation presented today at the FIPE-Confcommercio headquarters in Rome “Origini Edition”, an initiative aimed at promoting DOP products (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) throughout the Autogrill network. The project brings certified Italian ingredients and the Consortia that produce them closer to travellers on the main road routes.
“Origini Edition” offers periodically “editions” of recipes and products developed in collaboration with the Qualivita Foundation and the Consortia adherents. Each edition enhances certified ingredients, local traditions and the know-how of producers, helping travelers discover Italian agri-food excellence during their travels. The initiative also supports the promotion of Italian Cuisine, following its recent recognition by UNESCO, enhancing the quality, traceability and craftsmanship that characterize certified products.
With the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (MASAF) and FIPE“Origini Edition” reflects Autogrill’s active role within FIPE and its own commitment to expanding the presence of certified Italian products in its catering offer. Autogrill’s sourcing reflects this commitment: approximately 75% of its annual food and beverage purchases come from suppliers based in Italy and its current assortment includes over 60 certified products.
“At Autogrill we want to offer travelers products closely linked to quality, identity and Italian traditions”, he declared Massimiliano Santoro, CEO Italy of Avolta. “Our collaboration with Qualivita helps us integrate PDO and PGI products into an offer that is both interesting for travelers and consistent with our identity, while giving greater visibility to Italian excellence among an increasingly international audience”.
The project debuts with an exclusive recipe that celebrates the meeting between Prosciutto di Carpegna PDO, Burrata di Andria PGI and Terra di Bari PDO EVO oilsymbols of the craftsmanship of Central and Southern Italy: this is how it was born Carpegna 1463the new sandwich that enhances this meeting of flavors and territories. A second recipe will enhance the combination of Capocollo from Martina Franca, Burrata di Andria PGI and Tuscan EVO oil PGI, while a third will celebrate Mozzarella di Gioia del Colle PDO combined with Basilico Genovese PDO pesto.
As illustrated by Luca D’Alba, General Manager Italy F&B of Avolta, this launch represents a further commitment to enhancing the excellence of Italian producers through the introduction of new references throughout the year, offering a unique stage to both the more consolidated Consortia and emerging entities.
At the eventmoderated by Maddalena Fossati, Director of La Cucina Italiana e concluded by the intervention of Minister Francesco Lollobrigidaparticipated: Massimiliano Santoro, CEO Italy of Avolta, Luca D’Alba, General Manager Italy F&B of Avolta, Mauro Rosati, Director of the Qualivita Foundation, Cesare Baldrighi President of Origin Italia and Lino Enrico Stoppani, President of FIPE-Confcommercio, who reiterated the central role of catering in the promotion of the Italian System.
Autogrill is part of Avolta, a global travel retail and F&B company whose main shareholder is Edizione.
“Origini Edition is a project with a long-term vision, designed to build a platform capable of continuously and consistently valorising PDO and PGI products in travel catering”, Mauro Rosati – Director of the Qualivita Foundation. “The sandwich represents one of the most immediate and popular symbols of Italian gastronomy and, thanks to the use of DOP and IGP ingredients, it can also become a tool for telling the story of the territories, capable of guiding travelers towards the discovery of quality products and also strengthening their tourist attractiveness. In this process, the capillarity of the Autogrill network and the guarantee role of the Qualivita Foundation and the protection consortia offer the products broad and qualified visibility, aimed at a vast diversified audience.”
“This initiative represents a concrete and virtuous example of how collaboration between businesses, institutions and the protection consortium system can significantly strengthen the competitiveness of Made in Italy. The catering and public establishments network, of which Autogrill is one of the most important protagonists also at an international level, confirms itself as a strategic channel for identifying, promoting, describing and enhancing our PDO and PGI excellences, making them accessible to millions of travelers every day”, he comments Lino Enrico Stoppani, President of FIPE-Confcommercio. “Through projects such as ‘Origini Edition’ not only are the highest quality products promoted, but a true story of the territories, traditions and Italian know-how is built, distinctive elements that represent a unique competitive advantage in the global panorama. In this way we contribute to spreading the culture and identity of Italian cuisine around the world, while at the same time supporting the production chains, consortia and local communities that are an authentic expression of it. It is precisely through this integration between quality, narrative and network that the future of the promotion of the Italian System lies.”