APCOM

This morining San Nazaro in Brolo square has hosted the 'Mercato chilometri zero' (Zero-kilometre market), the first direct sale of food farming products carried out by the farmers themselves and without any intermediary. On the market's stalls, Milanese people have found a bit of everything: wine, rice, cold cuts, cheese, vegetables, oil, honey, milk, eggs and flowers. The event has been organised in collaboration with Coldiretti, the organisation which supports agriculture and protects farmers' rights. It's sponsored by Milano's city council in association with other actions against the high cost of living carried out by retailers.

In the wake of what was happening in many European countries, last year, Coldiretti promoted in Italy the first initiative which allowed consumers to choose products which don't pollute and help them to save money: from the introduction of the obligation to indicate foods' origin on labels to the possibility to buy local products (which don't need to be transported for long distances), from the offer of regional products in schools' cellars to the zero-kilometre markets, which based on other Nations' experience could reach the 15% of the food market.

I'm sure it will become a habit for citizens, who will be able to buy genuine products in the centre of Milano and will also save money", councillor for Productive Activities Tiziana Maiolo wrote in an official statement "The city council supported the Farmer Market because it is a special opportunity to shop differently. The fight against the high cost of living can be carried out in an innovative and intelligent manner".