Food, Design, and Territory: The Valorization of Manna in the Madonie area.

Abstract

The contribution explores the connection between food, design, and territory, focusing on manna, a typical product of the Madonie region. It highlights the importance of manna, not only as an economic pillar but also as a cultural one for the local community, through the analysis of traditional agronomic practices and artisanal harvesting techniques. The work emphasizes the intrinsic value of manna, both in its raw form and as a component in innovative products, with examples like Fiasconaro Panettone from Castelbuono and “Birra artigianale delle Madonie,” which uses manna as a key ingredient. It also discusses the territorial history, referencing the manna museum in Pollina and suggesting its redesign to enhance the story. Manna is showcased as a paradigm for demonstrating how a “unique” raw material can boost the development of a territory.