A day to deepen knowledge about cow's milk, its derivatives, the processing method and its reference territory. On Tuesday 12 March, in Ragusa by Progetto Natura, the second appointment of 2024 of the cycle of meetings dedicated to Sicilian DOP, IGP and QS products organized and coordinated by DOS Sicilia, or the Association of Consortia for the Promotion and Valorisation, will take place of typical Sicilian agri-food products with the DOP, IGP and QS brands.
Raw cow's milk and consequently its derivatives such as drinking milk, dairy products and ice cream, are obtained from the application of rigorous production regulations approved at community level. The production method requires that in the daily ration at least 50% of the dry matter must be provided by fodder of which at least 50% is obtained from pastures and/or hays produced in the same territory as the farm. The food ration must be able to guarantee a balanced supply of nutrients suitable for maintaining the health and well-being of the cows. The use of added animal fats in food is prohibited.
The drinking milk will be enriched in the aromatic component by the particular breeding technique and type of feeding while the animals will be raised with the application of suitable housing conditions that guarantee a greater state of well-being and through the use of food supplements compliant with needs nutritional.
“ This educational tour is an important step in valorising our Consortium and the product itself. On this occasion - explains the president of the Consortium Salvatore Cascone - we will present to the students of the hospitality institute of Ragusa the supply chain of QS Cow's Milk and its derivatives, concretely valorising the work carried out in the stables which have shared the production specifications, creating a new certified supply chain intended to guarantee a high quality standard for the final consumer. Young people appear to be a particularly sensitive audience to issues related to the production and supply chain of agri-food products, so it is a great opportunity for us to be in direct contact with them through this educational tour which is a stage in the growth project started by the Consortium. In the second half of the year we will start a promotional campaign dedicated to the products destined to enter the market, both fresh and very fresh. We strongly believe in the quality and potential of the product and its derivatives".
“We are at the second meeting in 2024 and we are experiencing the same interest and participation as last season when we organized nine educational events linked to Sicilian products of excellence for the first time. The mission of DOS Sicilia is to promote the development and progress in the food sector of the Sicilian Region. This promotional activity was carried out with the contribution granted by the Sicily Region on PSR 2014-2022 Measure 16.4 – explains the President of DOS Sicily Massimo Todaro – and, thanks to the support of the Sicilian Region, with the Regional Department of Agriculture, of the Rural Development and Mediterranean Fisheries, it will be possible to network and promote these certified quality Sicilian products in national and international markets".
The meeting, scheduled for 10:00 am at Progetto Natura in the industrial area III phase includes a presentation of raw cow's milk followed by a guided tour of a farm followed by a show cooking by Progetto Natura.
Upcoming appointments - In total there will be 17 meetings dedicated to Sicilian agri-food excellence, all lasting one day. After the first meeting dedicated to the Extra Virgin Olive Oil of Monti Iblei DOP, followed by the one dedicated to QS Cow's Milk, the next educational tour will have the New Carrot of Ispida PGI as its protagonist on March 22nd.
