Mission
What is Italian Food Design?
Italian Food Design is a research platform within CREA – Research Centre for Food Nutrition, based in Rome. It represents a new approach to designing and producing food through the application of Design Thinking methodology.
It is a space where professionals from different scientific and disciplinary fields — biotechnologists, nutritionists, designers, agronomists, geneticists, food chemists, chefs, anthropologists, sociologists, psychologists, economists, architects, engineers and communication experts — work together to improve the quality and sustainability of Italian food production.
At the heart of our projects lies the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean Diet.
Our Activities
01
Designing new foods and nutritional models
We design and develop foods, menus, and nutritional models with high nutritional and organoleptic quality, as well as strong environmental sustainability. We also create nutraceutical foods tailored to different population groups and contexts. Our dishes and menus not only deliver high nutritional value but also promote Italian certified and traditional food products (PDO, PGI, TSG, and PAT).
02
Design for agri-food systems and local territories
We design scenarios, processes and innovation opportunities within local territories and communities through participatory design methodologies, such as co-design and co-creation, involving local communities, small and medium-sized food producers, citizens and stakeholders. We enhance the genius loci and local identities as a resource for resilience, development, and cultural and productive innovation. We connect food traditions, landscape, culture, and communities to generate new territorial narratives and pathways for development. We also support Italian agri-food small and medium-sized enterprises in their ecological transition processes, helping to increase the value, quality, and sustainability of their production.
03
Italian food culture, scientific dissemination and communication
We aim to promote the culture of Italian food excellence, sustainable nutrition, and Design Thinking by creating opportunities for dialogue, exchange, and knowledge sharing.
