Let's come to the crunch

Let's come to the crunch
Magazine: April 2008

The Val Venosta is one of the most emblematic and clearly identifi able locations of northern Italy. Stretching from the Passo Resia to Merano, it is a territory rich in history and legends narrated by the strips of the great glaciers, by the peaks of Ortles, Gran Zebrù and Cevedale and by the tortuous pathways that cross the woods creating an exquisite atmosphere. Then there is another story, the story linked to gastronomy: apples, of course, but not only… because this is land is also a treasure chest of vegetables. Market garden products that grow bountifully thanks to the favourable climatic conditions of the area. Almost 270 tons produced by eight associated consortiums: this is the Val Venosta in fi gures. Figures that are even more exciting if we focus on the Bio varieties, which in 2007 registered a total of 14 thousand tons. Amongst the core qualities in prime position is Golden Delicious which accounts for 3/4 of the production, followed by Stark then rosy Gala and crunchy Pinova. Some new qualities are still in an experimental phase and great hopes are held for the new Kanzi specialities.

Vegetables lead the fi eld
Potatoes, caulifl ower, red chicory, beetroot, Iceberg lettuce and cabbage: these are the other stars on the Alto Adige scenario. The Val Venosta label is a guaranty of fi rst class vegetables. The delicious cultivations, the result of hard work and a favourable climate, are precious allies for a healthy life. Val Venosta means genuine products. In Lasa we fi nd the most important area of cultivation for the summer caulifl ower. The mild climate protects its compactness, the creamy white colour and above all the fl avour. The commitment to quality in the Val Venosta is fl anked by love for the environment. The contribution by the local consortiums towards the maintenance of an uncontaminated nature is clearly shown by the adoption of energetic sources that are clean and renewable: there are already three orchard cooperatives that have equipped themselves with a photovoltaic plant. A production system that places the unadulterated naturalness of the cultivations in core position.