Mediterranean Diet Week opened this morning in Expo Milano 2015. The week brings an opportunity to reflect and exchange ideas among the countries participating in the Bio- Mediterraneum Cluster. The aim is to protect, promote and disseminate the diet and its values, ?first presented 50 years ago by the Keys, an American husband and wife team of biologists who studied the virtues of this diet for many years while residing in Pioppi, a seaside hamlet in Italy's southern region of Campania, which was later named by UNESCO as a location that was symbolic of the Mediterranean diet.
A week focused on understanding the value of a healthy and flavorful lifestyle
Numerous events, tastings, cooking demonstrations, screenings and presentations have been planned through September 20. The week is designed to convey the nutritional, social and economic values of the Mediterranean Diet, considered in its broadest sense as a healthy lifestyle choice. The week's program is also enriched by the presence of the GAC (Coastal Action Groups) Siciliani. "We will focus our attention on fish, especially the deep sea varieties - says Fabrizio Di Paola, President of the Sicilian GAC network - in order to promote the socio-economic well-being of fishing zones and foster consumer awareness of quality Sicilian fish products, through traceability of operations and shortening of the supply chain".
The Mediterranean the heart of food culture in the Bio-Mediterraneum Cluster
The week's activities opened this morning with Andrea Olivero (Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry): "We will strive to get this healthy dietary model followed in schools, thinking not only of its nutritional value but also recognizing the strategic value of food in socialization". Also taking part at the opening were the CNR (National Research Council workers, Legambiente, the International Forum of the Mediterranean Diet, the Mediterranean Diet Study Center "Angelo Vassallo", the University Suor Orsola Benincasa of Naples, LILT Italian League Against Cancer, LUISS University. "
The Bio-Mediterraneum Cluster has reproduced The How to Eat Well and Stay Well the Mediterranean Way of Ancel Keys, with the goal of looking at Mediterranean food as an element that unites people - said Dario Cartabellotta (Manager of the Cluster) - The Mediterranean is often a sea of conflicts, fractures and inequalities, but becomes the center of gravity for the food culture".
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