Italy and many other European countries have many foods and drinks that are ’traditional’ and part of their cultural heritage, being associated with places, methods of production and ways of life. They are important for national and local identity and also linked with other forms of cultural heritage such as historic places, art and museums. At the same time, they are also immensely important economically, providing revenue and employment for local firms, farmers and employees.

Traditional food and drink are especially vital for Italy. Each town, area and region has its own speciality dishes and drinks. They attract large numbers of tourists, often high value ones. They are vital exports. Appreciation of heritage Italian food and drink has greatly increased in the past decades, seen in examples as diverse as the Slow Food movement, television and on media programmes and protected labels such as the EU’s ‘Geographical indication’.

The Roundtable looks at how traditional foods and drink can be promoted protected and linked to other forms of cultural heritage. They merit assistance both because of their role in identity and because their economic value.

At the same time, they need support, especially as their production costs may be higher than other industrial food and drink. Effective support requires cooperation and coordination between different organisations. The government plays a vital role both in providing finance and in regulation.

However, support can also involve public cultural heritage organisations – such as regional or local government departments or from museums. Since many producers are privately owned, the private sector is also vital. Finally, associations of producers and of consumers as well as local bodies have taken initiatives to develop and promote specific food and drink, often locally and regionally.