Horizon 2030. This is the year identified by the United Nations to implement 17 sustainable development goals that will transform our relationship with the planet. Many of which directly affect the agri-food sector. From goal 2, to defeat hunger, to 12, sustainable consumption and production, up to goal 13, the fight against climate change.

But we can already do a lot today and for many, the Covid pandemic emergency was also an opportunity to focus on these issues. The implementing decree of the MISE of July goes in this direction, providing 140 million euros in subsidies for R&D projects with a high technological innovation and sustainability content. At the forefront are food producers, naturally, and in particular those already active in sectors with a high “naturalness” profile, from fresh to organic food to water.

A commitment that sees producers ready

Sara Menin, Development Project Manager of L'Insalata dell'Orto comments on the importance of innovation and sustainability: "For several years we have been obtaining energy from renewable sources, we were among the first to use compostable packaging and we have had an active e-commerce site since the beginning of 2020. In addition, we develop over 50% of our turnover abroad, serving over 22 countries and, finally, we launch an average of over 10 new products a year. On the subject of the new post-lockdown habits, e-commerce is giving us great satisfaction: thanks to isothermal packaging, we deliver throughout Italy in a maximum of 48 hours. The difficulty is that up to now there are no real widespread logistics in place for the movement of cold food".

It is also important to look at the potential of overseas markets according to Pierluigi Stopelli, General Manager of Astra Bio: “Export is fundamental. We already account for over 50% of sales today, with an important presence in the German market. In the future we will be investing in northern Europe, but also in France and the UK. As for the return to normality, it must be accompanied by a series of principles: to be straightforward, transparent and clear towards the customer and towards the ecosystem around our activities, and above all by regarding suppliers as partners”.

However, it is also necessary to dispel some of the clichés, such as those that have concerned the consumption of bottled mineral water in recent years: it is not the bottle but the consumer’s use of it that makes a product sustainable or not. “The mineral water sector is facing the challenge of eco-sustainability - points out Michele Foglio, Commercial Director of Maniva -. Our supply chain is organising itself for an increasingly intense use of the so-called R-Pet (PET of recycled origin) and to steadily reducing the environmental impact of all company operations. Even before the pandemic there was a partial return in interest towards mineral water in glass bottles and now, once the emergency is over, this trend is consolidating and we ourselves are committed to investing in a returnable bottle”.

Sustainability and attention to natural and organic cultivation and production practices are a cross-cutting theme in all sectors, but at TUTTOFOOD 2021 they will have an even stronger presence in the TUTTOHEALTH, TUTTOFRUIT and TUTTODRINK areas.