The taste of biodiversity: a meeting at Bigallo on the value of oil and the territory

The initiative aims to explore how protecting olive groves can transform into an opportunity for cultural growth, an excellent gastronomic experience, and a tangible economic benefit for producers and restaurant operators.

The meeting will open at 10:00 a.m. with greetings from Bagno a Ripoli's Agriculture Councilor, Paola Nocentini.

Following this, industry experts and representatives of organizations and associations will take turns on stage:

• 10:30 a.m.: Presentation of the LIFE Olivares Vivos+ project, an innovative model that combines biodiversity recovery, economic sustainability, and olive oil valorization, by Paola Semenzato.
• 10:45 a.m.: "How to Eat Olive Oil," a presentation by Filippo Falugiani, President of AIRO (International Association of Olive Oil Restaurants).
• 11:00 a.m.: “The olive oil project and the tools for promoting quality oil,” presented by Emilia Reda (CREA PB) and Gabriella Lofeudo (formerly of CREA OFA).
• 11:15 a.m.: "The Cities of Olive Oil: Protecting and Promoting Olive Biodiversity as a Biocultural Heritage," speaker: Federica Romano, Head of Olive Heritage & International Relations for the National Association of Cities of Olive Oil.
• 11:30 a.m.: “Abandoned Grove: a circular model where the excellence of the oil makes the recovery of abandoned olive groves possible,” presented by founder Fil Bucchino.

The day will culminate at 12:00 with the gastronomic event "Biodiversity for Tasting." Participants will enjoy a four-course tasting, each conceived as a unique interpretation of extra virgin olive oil.

Four famous "Oil Chefs" will take care of the preparations:

The initiative is organized in collaboration with DREAm. Italia, the Antico Spedale del Bigallo cooperative, and AIRO, and is co-funded by the European Union under the LIFE program.