Consorzio Farro della Garfagnana IGP

Consortium

Garfagnana Spelt

History of Consortium

On 10 June 2010, the Protection Consortium for Garfagnana Spelt PGI was established, which brings together over 50 farmers dedicated to the cultivation and processing of Garfagnana Spelt PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) scrupulously following the production regulations that call for its cultivation in the area of the municipalities that form the Union of Municipalities of Garfagnana, at an altitude between 300 and 1,000 metres above sea level, according to organic farming methods.

From a nutritional point of view, spelt is very similar to soft wheat. Spelt has a high amount of protein, a low percentage of fat, provides energy and promotes the proper functioning of the intestine thanks to the high fibre content. It contains vitamins A, C and group B vitamins, minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and iron. But what makes this grain truly unique is the high amount of selenium it contains, which gives it important antioxidant properties. In fact, recent studies have shown show that the consumption of spelt is associated with a reduction in the risk of cancer, cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease and thyroid problems.

The Consortium for the Protection of Garfagnana Spelt PGI deals with: Supervising and protecting the production and trade of Spelt PGI and the use of its denomination; monitoring counterfeiting, improper use of the PGI marking, which is prohibited by law; promoting every useful initiative aimed at safeguarding its typicality and peculiar characteristics from any abuse, unfair competition; promoting the consumption and dissemination of the Garfagnana Spelt PGI brand at national and international level through events, and online and offline campaigns.

The consortium

Our History

Its cultivation significantly increased following the indications of the Tuscany Region census which recognised it as a crop at risk of genetic erosion: in just over a decade, from the 70s to the 80s, it passed from being cultivated on a few thousand square metres to a few tens of hectares.

In 1996, the European recognition of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) was obtained through the Comunità Montana della Garfagnana, sanctioning the definitive recovery of this grain.

On 10 June 2010, the Garfagnana Spelt Producers Consortium was established, which brings together over 100 farmers dedicated to the cultivation and processing of Garfagnana Spelt PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) scrupulously following the production regulations and according to organic cultivation methods.

The Centre processes over 60% of the 2,500 quintals of spelt produced in Garfagnana and directly handles its marketing. There are now over 100 producers in the Register, which cultivate about 200 hectares mostly located in the central-northern part of the valley.

Now every package of Garfagnana Spelt offers an additional opportunity to learn about our territory. The code on the package contains information about the producer and the place where the product you are now holding was cultivated.

The consortium

Organisation chart & Statute

CHAIRMAN

Riccardo Fabbri

BOARD MEMBERS 

Sergio Filippi, Roberto Bertoncini, Federico Ligniti,

Giovanni Danti, Gabriele Pelliccioni Marazzini

SOLE AUDITOR

Paolo Canozzi.

If you would like to learn more about the Consortium for the Protection of Garfagnana Spelt, download the documents below.

The consortium

Marking & Regulations

Garfagnana Spelt PGI is marketed in 500g, 1kg and 5kg bags after affixing a numbered identification stamp. Once the control body authorised by the Ministry for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies has verified that the requirements set out in the production regulations have been followed in the various stages of processing, both in terms of compliance with the procedures and yields in the field, and having sampled spelt with husks for analyses that exclude the use of pesticides, chemical fertilisers and herbicides, it authorises the packaging companies to sell a number of bags corresponding to the certified production.

The assignment of numbered stamps to the companies is instead carried out by the Protection Consortium which thereby ensures that a greater amount of spelt than that actually obtained in the reference agricultural plot is not placed on the market, thus avoiding fraud. Consumers who want to purchase Garfagnana Spelt PGI must therefore check that the bag or box bears the numbered identification stamp in addition to the Community PGI logo.