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Giardino delle Idee Program

Bufala Fest, all the forms of Taste

The Future Needs Vision

Padua 2026 – Prato della Valle – June 25/28, 2026 Talk Area Garden of Ideas

Thursday, June 25, 2026 – h. 19:00

Opening talk on the topic:

“All the forms of taste: the buffalo supply chain between vision, Mediterranean diet and Italian cuisine as UNESCO World Heritage”

The talk aims to analyze the evolution of the buffalo supply chain as a strategic asset of the Italian agri-food system, within the framework of the recognition of the Mediterranean Diet (2010) and Italian Cuisine (2025) as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

At the heart of the debate is the diversification of the offer: from the introduction of buffalo meat and cured meats into the channels of modern distribution and Horeca, to the production of evolved buffalo milk derivatives (blue cheeses, aged cheeses and yogurt).

This strategy does not only respond to market dynamics, but represents a concrete response to the challenges of economic and ethical sustainability, allowing efficient management of the entire supply chain.

The future needs vision and vision, in this case, means having the courage to look beyond “Her Majesty” mozzarella: promoting buffalo meat as the protein of the future — lean, sustainable and enhanced by an excellent cured meat tradition — and transforming white gold into new expressions, from aged cheeses to blue cheeses, from fine ricottas to butter, from yogurt to ice cream.

Panel of Speakers

Friday, June 26, 2026 – h. 19:00

Talk on the topic:

“Innovation and Identity: the vision of territories for the agri-food sector of the future”

The talk addresses the challenge of transforming the agri-food heritage of Veneto and Campania into an integrated and competitive industrial system. The key points are:

    • Supply Chain Integration: analysis of industrial transformation models (such as the dairy sector and the canning industry of the two regions) to optimize production processes while preserving the connection with the territorial raw materials.
    • Safety and Traceability in Industry 4.0: the adoption of digital technologies in transformation processes to guarantee high standards of food safety and fight against global counterfeiting.
    • Origin Marketing: how to communicate the added value of the territorial product through modern large-scale retail channels and international e-commerce, transforming regional identity into a competitive advantage thanks to the driving force of the Mediterranean Diet and Italian Cuisine as UNESCO Heritage.

The objective is to define a territory-centered development model that uses technology to protect identity roots and make agri-food supply chains increasingly competitive, sustainable and capable of establishing themselves on international markets.

Panel of Speakers

Saturday, June 27, 2026 – h. 19:00

Talk on the topic:

“The sustainable vision: ESG criteria as a compass for the future of the Italian agri-food sector”

Tradition, excellence and connection with the territory are no longer enough to guarantee the international competitiveness of Made in Italy. The talk explores how ESG criteria (Environmental, Social, Governance) are transforming the agri-food supply chain – with a strategic focus on the buffalo sector – from a traditional model into a traceable, circular and financially resilient ecosystem.

From circular economy in livestock farming (biogas and water management) to the protection of labour and animal welfare, up to companies’ credit rating: scientific and measurable sustainability is today the true passport for the future of white gold and the entire agri-food sector.

The talk will explore the three pillars of the ESG transition:

  • Environmental: the evolution of the agri-food supply chain and livestock farms into hubs of circular economy through bio-energy, emission management and protection of natural resources.
  • Social: the central role of animal welfare, work ethics and the enhancement of the territory as a shield against global reputational risks.
  • Governance: supply chain transparency, digitalization and new banking protocols that reward companies’ ESG rating, facilitating access to credit.

Panel of Speakers