Food Districts in the Metropolitan Area of Reggio Calabria, Italy

The article explores the development of Food Districts in Calabria, an Italian Region where the experience of the agricultural districts was very limited in the last 20 years. The Law No. 205 of December 27, 2017 harmonizes existing agricultural Italian districts and encourages new ones by providing access to dedicated funding. The Law No. 205 introduces the recognition of Food Districts in various contexts, such as rural, quality agri-food, urban or peri-urban, and organic districts. The new regulatory framework promotes territorial development, social inclusion, and integration of activities with a focus on proximity. The objectives include enhancing food safety, reducing environmental impact, and preserving rural landscapes. Following the implementation of the national Law, in the year 2022, the Region of Calabria has begun a reorganization process of the existing agricultural districts and recognized 29 Food Districts. In a regional context where the district experience is still weak, despite the initial emphasis with the formalization of many new districts, this study analyses the two Food Districts activated in the Metropolitan Area of Reggio Calabria and explores their governance systems, partnerships and strategies in order to point out the strengths of the districts and the opportunities it creates but at the same time identifies limits that hinder the full take-off of the ambitious new development model, the Food District. It also discusses the opportunities for financing Food Districts, with a focus on the National Financial Law 2021 and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan for 2023–2027.