“Good, clean and fair” food: A global approach to sustainability and health through the analysis of Slow Food Presidia products

Slow Food is a non-profit member-supported association, founded in 1989 to counter the rise of fast food and fast life. After cataloguing hundreds of products at risk of extinction (Ark of Taste), in 2000 the first 90 Italian Presidia were presented, soon followed by Africa, South America and Asia. The project has become one of the most effective tools for Slow Food policy on agriculture and biodiversity. There are 200 Presidia in Italy and 170 International involving 2500 small-scale producers, the best example of the “good, clean and fair” food.  

Since 2009, the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity (SFFB) with three Universities (Torino, Palermo, Pollenzo) and the Chemical Laboratory of the Chamber of Commerce Turin, has started a process of:

-       chemical and bromatological evaluation of some Presidia, plant- and animal products, compared to usual Italian bromatological references

-       evaluation of sustainability of European Presidia, with four areas investigated by using numeric indicators: environmental, economic, social and cultural objectives.

By considering total sustainability they showed extra-values, while on the nutrition side, compared to commonly consumed foods, the plant products showed interesting levels of total dietary fiber and micronutrients, favorable aromatic profiles and lower content of simple sugars, while animal products had increased quantity of ω-3 fatty acids, reduced amount of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol.

Our experience with Slow Food Presidia products showed how social, agri-environmental and economic aspects should be combined with nutrition evaluation. Food and health relationship must be considered taking into consideration producers, consumers, communities and environment.