It looks like a horror sequel but that’s it; Sicilians love their land, but prefer products from other places, often leading national or even international brands. This is precisely the dilemma and we confirm, with data in hand, that unfortunately this is the case. Proud of their origins, especially when they live abroad, in their land they prefer products that come from places beyond the strait and, often, from outside Italy. Ours is a land of conquest and perhaps this state of subjection has developed only one feeling: that “the other’s garden is always greener”. And for this venial sin not only consumers are to blame, but also some distributors who prefer products that are not Sicilian because they are high-selling rather than local productions that fail to enter some chains, despite being much better, healthier and more safe.

The case of pasta is the most emblematic case, both on the part of the consumer and on the part of the shopkeeper.

The news is now quite clear and widespread; but still, in some consumers, the sense of image prevails, rather than that of real substance. In all the newspapers and news there is talk of avoiding pastes with glyphosate and mycotoxins; and what do we do? We increase the consumption of pasta that OFFICIALLY write “no EU” wheat in the parcels. I am immediately reminded of the saying: “who is more stupid carnival or who follows it?”. Not to mention supermarket chains that base their marketing on Sicilianity, open stores in Europe, just by enhancing the brand, and then don’t deign to talk to local producers. Thank goodness, not all of them are like that, both consumers and, above all, small gourmet shops that instead emphasize the quality, bet on the production and also on the quality of the entrepreneur and his product.

After all, it would be enough to read, get informed, have love for oneself and for one’s territory to be able to enhance foods, productions, stories that with love carry on what is most beautiful in our country.

Those who come to Sicily not only fall in love with its landscapes and its history, but also with its flavors and smells that remain forever etched. The flavor of Sicilian wheat is one of those, like our pasta that every artisan makes with wisdom and dedication, which has an absolutely different taste, but which industries have voluntarily taken away from us and unaccustomed to having. We are so proud when we tell our foreign friends about Sicily; we boast to the point that we seem to be the owners of all the products that are in our land, exalting the goodness and hard work that an entrepreneur has to do in a certainly difficult land. However, in the moment of choice, we reach out to those products of industries that level us with the rest of the world, never imagining that the rest of the world eats much more Sicilian. Because you know, Made in Sicily is certainly the best high-selling brand in the world!