The Italian Public Policies for the Economy of Taste: The Regional Point of View

This study aimed at the analysis of the public tools for promotion and information implemented by all the Italian Regions to develop the local Economy of Taste. The Economy of Taste is made up of foodstuffs and drinks characterized by European and national quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs i.e. designations of origin and geographical indications (GIs) and traditional agri-food production (Italian national rules). All the managers for the promotion of the Departments of Agriculture of the twenty Italian Regions were involved, through semi-structured interviews, at two different time frames. The activities allowed for the grouping of the development tools into two food assets: "Food Quality Systems" i.e. important tools for the dissemination of information and promotion of products, ensuring high quality standards and guaranteeing visibility for consumers, which involves company accredited certification, and "Other promotional tools" i.e. such as quality systems that either still to be implemented, or have already been implemented without any company accredited certification. The results evidenced the proliferation of enhancement of promotion tools for quality foodstuff, which, although can be useful, both for the transfer of information and for their diffusion in commercial terms, it may also can disorient and confuse the consumer.