How Two Ancient Olive Trees in Molise Help Fund Meals in New York
Nestled in the heart of Parco dei Buoi in Larino, in the central-southern Italian region of Molise, the Leoni di Carpineto (Lions of Carpineto) are two olive trees that date back more than 500 years.
“Before my wife Pia and I were married, during university, we used to go back home to harvest with our families, which at that time made oil for home consumption and wholesale,”
With their fruit, Francesco Travaglini produces the extra virgin olive oil name Pressure. The revenues from its disposal support Refettorio in Harlem, a New York City neighborhood outreach that provides food to vulnerable people.
Thanks to a collaboration between Parco dei Buoi, Italian food importer Gustiamo. The culinary and cultural collective Ghetto Gastro , 150 bottles of this high-quality product are marketed at a premium price to supply the community kitchen with roughly 2,000 meals every year—each bottle providing the equivalent of at least a dozen meals. See Also: Rome's Olive Oil Production on Public Farm Supports Community, Sustainability Refettorio in Harlem is part of the non-profit cultural project Food For Soul, which chef Massimo Bottura and Lara Gilmore founded to combat food waste and promote social inclusion.
The Pressure initiative started four years ago when Gustiamo’s founder, Beatrice Ughi, organized a visit to Travaglini’s holding with a group of guests, including chef Pierre Serrao. Also known as Chef P, he is co-founder of the collective Ghetto Gastro, which brings together food experts and enthusiasts, artists, entrepreneurs and activists. Peppino brought the money to his town, where he purchased books and stationery for the schoolchildren and food for those in need.
- Money: €1,500.
- Figures: 350 kilo
