Cittaslow Italia Champion Lombardy’s Culinary Heritage Law

A true manifesto for regional identity is taking shape in Italy. Bill 149, a legislative project dedicated to the promotion and protection of traditional Lombard cuisine, has entered a crucial phase with a marathon of hearings at the Regional Commission for Productive Activities.

Bringing the "slow" philosophy of quality, tradition, and sustainability to the institutional table, representatives from both Cittaslow International and Cittaslow Italia actively participated in the sessions alongside historic culinary academies and chefs' associations.

A Special Thanks to Our Institutional Partners

The inclusion of the Cittaslow network in this visionary project would not have been possible without strong institutional support. A special expression of gratitude goes to Valter Bertani Deputy Mayor of the Cittaslow of Abbiategrasso, and Silvia Scurati, Vice President of the Lombardy Region's Productive Activities Commission, for their crucial role in involving the Cittaslow network. Their dedication ensures that the values of slow, sustainable, and local food remain at the heart of Lombardy's legislative efforts.

Institutionalizing Flavor, Not Bureaucracy

The hearings highlighted a shared goal: giving institutional recognition to the people who live, preserve, and pass down Lombardy's culinary traditions every day.

"The objective of this law is not to bureaucratize flavor, but to finally provide an institutional framework and concrete support to the work these organizations have been doing for decades," stated Marcello Ventura, President of the Commission. "We are looking at an immense heritage that deserves the Region's official seal of approval."

Key Proposals for the Future of Lombard Cuisine

The atmosphere during the hearings was highly collaborative, with stakeholders welcoming the legislative initiative as a vital tool for systemic growth. Several actionable proposals align perfectly with Cittaslow's mission of promoting local excellence:

• A Dedicated Culinary Month: Establishing a "Lombard Cuisine Month" to involve local restaurants, backed by regional funding, to promote traditional dishes well beyond regional borders.

  
  

• Authenticity Seals: Creating a specific "seal" or recognizable marker for restaurants, allowing tourists and visitors to immediately identify authentic, locally sourced Lombard products on menus.

  
  

• Investing in the Next Generation: Partnering with vocational schools to ensure the vital transfer of knowledge. Training young chefs and hospitality staff is seen as the "secret ingredient" to keeping these culinary traditions alive.

  
  

A Broad Network of Collaboration

The legislative process marks an important step in expanding the mission of promoting regional excellence. Alongside Cittaslow International and Cittaslow Italia, the hearings saw the participation of key regional players, including the Accademia Italiana della Cucina, Cavalieri della Polenta, Accademia dei Bruscitti, Accademia del Pizzocchero di Teglio, and the Chefs' Associations of both Bergamo and Pavia.

Together, this network is actively collaborating to refine the text of the law, ensuring that Lombardy's rich culinary traditions are safeguarded for generations to come.