Project providing assistance to earthquake victims and food aid, 2016

This 2016 project was designed to support the people of the Marche region, victims of a devastating earthquake that hit Central Italy. The Del Conca Group purchased a large quantity of goods sourced from four local farms, thus helping them to the maintenance of operational continuity and allowing families to be able to face the very cold and snowy winter months with more serenity. The area, although characterized by small villages surrounded by unspoiled nature and typical crops, also features a high concentration of artisans and small businesses, among which the agri-food sector stands out in particular. The most important damage was the drop in demand suffered by these small producers, due to the fact that the historic centres of the affected countries were evacuated, the small businesses and restaurants were forced to suspend or close down their business, and many producers of agri-food specialties who routinely turned to a small local market have consequently suffered drastic reductions in requests or cancellations of orders acquired. The possibility of selling a large quantity of products in stock at a time of contraction in demand also gave companies the possibility of retaining their workers. All the product purchased by the Del Conca Group was then donated to the Papa Giovanni XXIII Community which distributed it to foster families located in the Rimini area. In fact, with this further donation, the value of the 2016 Christmas project doubled in value.These are the companies involved in the project: Società Agricola F.lli Angeli (Pievetorina): The company is family-run and is located in Capriglia, a small hamlet of Pievetorina, in the Sibillini Mountains Park. They produce legumes, cheeses, pasta and flours, jams, juices and other agricultural products. They have cattle and sheep breeding. The company suffered structural damage from the earthquake, which severely damaged stalls and homes. Salumificio Monterotti (Saranano): They specialize in the production of cured meats deriving from pigs bred in the inlands of the Marche, renowned for their excellent quality. For over forty years they have been producing hams, salami, wild boar cured meats, pork, loin, IGP and other types of cured meat and sausages. La Pasta di Celiano (San Ginesio): Diego Luciani's farm and pasta factory are located in Celiano, an ancient village in the hamlet of Vallimestre in the municipality of San Ginesio, at the gates of the Sibillini Mountains National Park. They produce many types of artisanal pasta. Near the historic center of San Ginesio the company also has a farmhouse. Caseificio Di Pietrantonio (Belforte del Chienti): Located very close to Belforte del Chienti, a small town with a medieval urban layout, it’s the Di Pietrantonio family's dairy farm, with a history of transhumance in search of the best pastures.