Multistakeholder Activities and Initiatives for sustainable food Systems – M.A.I.S.

In last decades, sustainable food systems, such as local, organic and fair trade food systems, have been developed at international level, thanks to an increasing awareness on food related environmental, social and economic impacts and the achievement of social responsible networks.
M.A.I.S. project aims at spreading responsible behaviours to foster sustainable development within food systems.

The main goals of the Project are:

• to define the concept of Territorial Social Responsibility in the food sector
• to create a sustainable food network at local level involving supply chain actors
• consumers, public bodies, and third sector’s organizations
• to provide tools underpinning responsible food practices

A specific research is developed in order to analyse main literature and case studies on social responsible networks in food systems.
To increase knowledge transfer and to promote the creation of ‘information bridges’, food system’s stakeholders actively take part in the construction of a local sustainable food network, through their involvement in workshops, seminars, meetings, and educational visits.

Main expected results and outputs:

• mapping of local food systems (Area 4 of Milan and Parco Agricolo Sud Milano)
• meetings, seminars and workshops on food sustainability and social responsibility issues
• implementation of initiatives on food sustainability (Parco Agricolo Sud Milano – Info Point)
• support to sustainable food business creation
• educational visits at local farms for students

A final publication on Territorial Social Responsibility in the food sector will be realized.

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The project is financed by Fondazione Cariplo. 
Start date: January 2010 – End Date: December 2010.
Partners: Memoria&Progetto, Milan, Italy.