Iniziativa eco-responsabile e CSR

💾 Confindustria awarded Grimaldi Group the "Bollino per l’Alternanza di Qualità" (BAQ) for the second consecutive year, recognizing their contribution to training new generations. The BAQ honors Pcto initiatives, fostering collaborations with high schools and professional training centers. Francesca Marino of Grimaldi Lines, proud of their seventh consecutive BAQ, stresses its significance in bridging education and work, promoting active citizenship, and enhancing cross-curricular skills and career guidance.

🌽 In Italy, hazelnut production has plummeted by 20% due to severe weather, with Piemonte facing a 50% decrease. Despite nearly 100,000 hectares of hazelnut groves yielding approximately 100 million kilograms annually, Italy, the world's second-largest producer after Turkey, struggles with climate change and the invasive Asian stink bug. Campania estimates a 20-30% drop, while Lazio and Sicily maintain stable harvests. Imports, especially from Turkey, have risen to 75 million kilograms last year.

🍺 IBE – Independent Brewers of Europe, an alliance of small craft beer producers from Germany, Finland, France, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, was established with Unionbirrai, the Italian association representing independent craft beer producers since 1999. IBE aims to defend craft beer diversity against industrial beer domination, preserve Europe's brewing heritage, and promote consumer choice by supporting small producers through legal and technical assistance, proposing beer-friendly regulations, and ensuring representation in national and European institutions.

🌾 In Italy, adverse weather has reduced soft wheat production by 8% to approximately 2.85 million tons in 2024. Intense rains in the Northwest and a drought in the South have impacted quality and yields, leading to increased imports to cover over 65% of national demand. Italmopa President Andrea Valente cited concerns with the crop meeting milling industry standards, resulting in significant portions being relegated to livestock feed or other uses. Imports, mainly from EU countries, are expected to rise, with a shift towards North American wheat to compensate for lower European quality. The FAO estimates a global cereal production of 791.4 million tons, 2 million tons less than anticipated consumption, and a decrease in final stocks to 314.5 million tons. Egypt plans to purchase 3.8 million tons of wheat by April 2025, the largest tender in its history.

🍕 Roncadin SpA, a frozen pizza manufacturer based in Meduno (PN), with an annual turnover of €175 million, plans to hire around 100 new employees by the end of 2024 for production and office roles. The company, which surpassed 800 employees in 2023, 78.3% of whom are women with an average age of 43.5 years, offers permanent contracts after a trial period. They will participate in job fairs at the Universities of Trieste on September 24, Udine on October 26, and Venice on November 14, 2024. Additionally, "Pizza JOB day" events are set for September 25 and October 3. Over 90% of Roncadin's workforce is employed permanently, and over 72% utilize part-time schedules. The under-30 demographic makes up 12.5% of the company's workforce. Roncadin promotes inclusivity with a gender equality certification UNI/PdR 125:2022 and a "Zero Discrimination" campaign, while also focusing on family-work balance, employee benefits, and an active CRAL.

💰 O3 Fresh Cut 360, a collaborative project by SSICA, CFT Group, and MET Ozone Experts, aimed to enhance salad washing processes using ozone, minimizing chemical use, ensuring product quality, and enabling water recycling. Ozone extended product shelf life to 15 days, with bacterial levels below 50% of legal safety values. The combination of ozone and peracetic acid yielded the best microbial reduction, outperforming traditional methods. The initiative confirmed ozone-treated water's compliance with potability laws, allowing reuse in industrial processes, decreasing water resource consumption and operational costs, and bolstering the company's eco-friendly reputation.

🍳 Latteria Soresina, following its expansion plan for 2023-2027, acquired Oioli and 50% of Saviola, fortifying its presence in high-quality Gorgonzola Dop and Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano markets. In 2023, export revenue increased by €10 million, reaching €118 million. The cooperative focuses on innovation and internationalization, expecting a 3% annual growth contribution from innovation. An 18 million euro project, partly funded by the PNRR, aims to expand logistical capacity and introduce packaging automation with cobots within 2.5 years. Additionally, Latteria Soresina predicts a turnover growth above 4% for 2024, including revenues from new acquisitions.

🍹 Nuccio Caffo, CEO of Gruppo Caffo 1915, announced the company's early entry into the rapidly growing ready-to-serve cocktail market, with a focus on bitter-based premixed drinks. Official press presentation occurred on September 13, including a press trip for selected journalists. Gruppo Caffo has a history of combining traditional recipes with innovative production, such as reviving the original formula of Ferrochina Bisleri, dating back to 1881. They focus on sustainability, having installed photovoltaic systems nearly 20 years ago and using by-products for biogas production. Their latest products are two ready-to-serve drinks launched in August in Calabria, with plans for nationwide and international distribution by December. Initial marketing in Calabria involves street posters and social media. Future expansions include new product lines based on market response.

🎂 San Vito Lo Capo hosts the 27th edition of Cous Cous Fest from September 20-29, 2024. The festival features chefs from 10 countries, some in conflict, uniting for cultural exchange through culinary competitions and cooking shows. Over 20 cooking shows and 10 concerts, including performances by La Rappresentante di Lista and Piero Pelù, complement the gastronomic village with 20 couscous dishes, all under the slogan "Grains of Peace." The event is backed by sponsors like Bia Cous Cous, Conad, and Electrolux, and is organized by Feedback agency in partnership with the Municipality of San Vito Lo Capo.

🪲 Milano hosts the first Insect Festival by Small Giants on October 2, 2024, from 18:00 to 21:00 at WAO C30, Viale Cassala 30. The event showcases sustainable gastronomy with insect-based dishes, offering tastings, educational sessions on sustainable food, and interactive challenges for attendees to win prizes. Admission is free but with limited and reserved seating. Small Giants promotes insects as eco-friendly, protein-rich alternatives to traditional protein sources.