Cultiva Padova: the final results for a fairer and more sustainable urban agriculture presented

“Cultiva Padova” is a project funded by the RDP on food policies in relation to the local agricultural system and sustainable nutrition. El Tamiso participated as a partner, followed by the report written by Etifor (project coordinator) on the final day and the results it produced.

“Last Thursday, March 27, the final event of the Cultiva Padova project was held, entitled “Every fruit has its season. Urban agriculture for sustainable and just food”, hosted at the FENICE Green Energy Park in Padua. The meeting was a precious opportunity for discussion between institutions, farmers, citizens and local realities committed to making the food system fairer and more sustainable. About forty people actively participated in the dialogue, creating a rich and concrete exchange.

The event represented the culmination of a collective journey that, starting from the analysis of the data collected with farmers and citizens, led to the identification of the main challenges of urban agriculture in Padua. Through participatory meetings and moments of co-design, the working group has also developed a series of proposals and possible solutions, built from the bottom up and aimed at those who make political decisions about the future of food in the city. One of the objectives of the event was precisely to present these results to local policy makers, and we can say with satisfaction that this goal has been reached.

During the final round table, the aldermen Antonio Bressa and Andrea Ragona announced three important commitments for the future of the city's food policy: the perimeter of the new Lower Soča agro-landscape park; the introduction of a quota of food from a short supply chain in the menu of municipal school canteens, “increasing” the percentage of organic and vegetarian meal options; and the options for vegetarian meals and the establishment of a table on the city's food policy open to all interested parties. Fundamental pieces of a puzzle that deserves to be built together, step by step.

All the materials of the event are now available on the project page: the full video, the brochure that summarizes in detail the challenges and proposals that emerged, and the presentation used during the meeting. We invite you to consult and share them, to continue together to cultivate the future of urban agriculture in Padua. Heartfelt thanks to those who followed us on this interesting journey!

The project “Cultiva Padova. Food, Health, and Accessibility. Proposals in the field” aims to address two crucial challenges: food sustainability and the right to food. The project was born in April 2024 as part of the city of Padua's wider path to adopt a food policy. The goal is to focus on the relationship between farmers and consumers with a view to food and environmental sustainability. Funded by the CSR Veneto SRG01 call — Support for PEI AGRI operating groups, it is coordinated by the environmental consultancy body Etifor | Valuing Nature. The collaborating partners are: the agricultural cooperative El Tamiso, the spin-off of the University of Padua GeoAtamai Srl and the social promotion association Lies Laboratory of Economic and Social Investigation.

Project partner: @Etifor @vez .news @GeoAtamai @ElTamiso