Strengthening of the Italian Research Infrastructure for Metrology and Open Access Data in support to the Agrifood
May 29-30 in San Gemini: The First METROFOOD-IT Summer School
The METROFOOD-IT research infrastructure, in collaboration with Sapienza University of Rome and ENEA, and with the support of the Municipality of San Gemini (Terni), is organizing its first Summer School dedicated to companies in the agrifood supply chain. The event will focus on innovative solutions for quality control and product certification.
More specifically, the Summer School, which will take place on May 29-30, 2025, will offer high-level training on key strategic topics for the sector. Thanks to contributions from professors and researchers of the METROFOOD-IT Consortium, the program will cover a range of subjects, from regulatory developments in agrifood law to the most advanced analytical techniques ensuring product safety and authenticity. Additionally, participants will explore the use of artificial intelligence and blockchain for product traceability and certification—key tools for business competitiveness.
The METROFOOD-IT Summer School was created out of a strong desire to offer a highly specialized educational opportunity, establishing a learning path beyond traditional training. Companies will have the chance to interact directly with industry experts and share experiences, challenges, and opportunities related to innovation in the agrifood sector.
The Summer School will be preceded by a public introductory event (scheduled for the morning of May 29), which will provide an overview of the regulatory framework, with a special focus on the new EU Regulation 2024/1143, concerning quality schemes, certified geographical indications, and food fraud prevention.
Participation Details
Participation in the Summer School is free, with a maximum of 40 participants and mandatory registration. The only costs participants will need to cover are food and accommodation expenses. Registrations can be made online starting April 1, with further details to be announced in the coming days via METROFOOD-IT's official channels.
Beyond its educational purpose, the two-day event in San Gemini aims to highlight the benefits for businesses collaborating with METROFOOD-IT. Companies will have the opportunity to adopt advanced technological solutions and develop new strategies. During the event, the platforms providing access to METROFOOD-IT's integrated services will be presented, along with first-hand testimonials from companies that have already leveraged the infrastructure's expertise.
A Digital "Food Passport" for the Future
Looking ahead, METROFOOD-IT aims to further support Made in Italy through its blockchain databases and artificial intelligence methodologies. A key innovation in this direction is the Food Passport: through a QR code, consumers will be able to access analytical data about the purchased food product. Additionally, producers can enrich this information with storytelling about the product’s origin and tradition.
As Cesare Manetti, Professor of Physical Chemistry at Sapienza University of Rome and head of METROFOOD-IT training, emphasizes:
“Effectively implementing the results of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) is crucial, and this Summer School is the first of a series of initiatives stemming from a collaboration agreement between Federalimentare and various foundations that bring together expertise in this field—from Fondazione Agritech to Fondazione OnFoods, Fondazione PRIMA, and METROFOOD-IT itself. The goal is to promote the transfer of innovation to universities and research institutes.
In this context, METROFOOD-IT supports businesses by providing a national ecosystem of laboratories, technological facilities, expertise, and services, enabling them to tackle emerging challenges in the agrifood supply chain and fostering the growth of the sector.”