The International event “Med Diet Expo 2015” (www.meddietexpo2015.com) was held at EXPO Centre in Milan on May 14, 2015.In line with the theme of the EXPO Milan 2015 “Feeding the Planet –Energy for Life”, the aim of the event was to contribute to the promotion of the cultural and food heritage represented by the Mediterranean diet.

 

One of the main outcomes of the event was the launch of the “MED DIET EXPO 2015 CALL: TIME TO ACT” (http://goo.gl/2jEJ5Q). The aim of the CALL is to collect inputs and contributions to develop concrete and innovative actions on the Mediterranean Diet in the Mediterranean area in order to revitalize it as a sustainable dietary pattern and to promote its cultural heritage. In particular, the CALL aims to raise the awareness of citizens and institutions with a twofold objective: to spread the concept of sustainable food systems and diets, and to promote sustainable lifestyles.The ultimate goal of the Call is to activate a participatory interest from the general public of EXPO and a collective engagement in the four clusters identified by the Charter of Milan (i.e. citizens, companies, associations and institutions). The CALL was endorsed by many national and regional organizations such as the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the International Foundation of the Mediterranean Diet (IFMeD).

 

The event included the launch by IFMeD, CIHEAM and the Forum on Mediterranean Food Cultures (FMFC) of the "new" Mediterranean Diet "Med Diet 4.0"; an innovative approach to the historic food pyramid, which is updated and redefined through four dimensions: health, culture, environment and economy."Med Diet 4.0" represents a contemporary lifestyle rather than a mere dietary pattern. Knowledge of the "Med Diet 4.0" will be disseminated through communication activities for the general public, where each of the four sides of the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid will express a sustainability dimension. One week in September will be dedicated at Expo to the Mediterranean diet and its values. The horizon of the debate is the Charter of Milan, the central legacy of Expo Milan 2015. As the Charter is a universal message there was a call to ensure that it also includes the sustainable model of the Mediterranean diet.

The event was organized by CIHEAM, the Italian National Research Council (CNR-Disba), the Italian Agricultural Research Council (CRA), the National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) and the FMFC in collaboration with IFMeD.

 

Feeding Knowledge (www.feedingknowledge.net) is a programme for cooperation on research and innovation on food security that is part of the permanent legacy of Expo Milan 2015. The programme is developed through two initiatives: (i) Euro-Mediterranean Network on research and innovation for food security; and (ii) Best Sustainable Development Practices on food security. The program has been implemented by CIHEAM-Bari in collaboration with METID Centre of Politecnico di Milano. It is focused on knowledge development and sharing as the main tools to fight against hunger and malnutrition. It is first focused on the Euro-Mediterranean region, including Balkan countries. After 2015, project activities will progressively involve other regions of the world with a focus on developing

countries.

 

Feeding Knowledge activities are developed through five thematic research and innovation priorities for food security: Sustainable water and natural resources management; Quantitative & qualitative enhancement of crop products; Socio-economic dynamics and global markets; Sustainable development of small rural communities in mar­ginal areas; Food consumption patterns: diet, environment, society, eco­nomy and health.

 

The Euro-Mediterranean Network on research and innovation for food securityfocus on research, innovation and transfer of know­ledge for food security. The Network aims at developing white papers and a “shared vision” on the research priorities for food security, in order to support policy makers in the elaboration of programs and policies.

 

The white paper of the fifth thematic priority “Food consumption patterns: diet, environment,society, eco­nomy and health” is an outcome of the collaboration of CIHEAM-Bari and the Sustainable Food Systems Program of FAO[1].The white paper aims at contributing to the design of a coherent set of policies and a research agenda to improve the sustainability of food consumption patterns and diets in order to achieve food and nutrition security in the Mediterranean area. It shows that an increased adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern among the Mediterranean population can contribute to improve food and nutrition security in terms of food availability, food access and food utilisation. Also the reduction of food losses and waste is relevant for the improvement of food and nutritional security status in the Mediterranean region. Any strategy to address food and nutrition security in the region should encompass both quantitative and qualitative issues and should also consider interactions that exist between them and with other sectors such as nutrition, health, etc. The focus on sustainable diets integrated in a wider food system is original in this sense and allows

grasping the different facets and dimensions of food and nutrition insecurity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), MediterraneanAgronomicInstitute of Bari, Via Ceglie 9, 70010 Valenzano (Bari), Italy

 

 

[1]CIHEAM & FAO(2015). Mediterranean food consumption patterns: diet, environment, society, economy and health. A White Paper of Priority 5 of Feeding Knowledge Program, Expo Milan 2015. CIHEAM-IAMB, Bari & FAO, Rome.