Sana Food 2025

From 23 to 25 February 2025 at the Bologna Exhibition Centre, Sana Food was held, the new exhibition format of BolognaFiere, created to meet the needs of the organic and natural sector. As far as fruit and vegetables are concerned, there was hardly any fresh produce. On the other hand, at the processing level, there was a wide variety of references on offer.Not in the photo report? Send a horizontal photo (at least 1300 pixels wide) and a short caption to info@freshplaza.it. (Photo-reportage by Maria Luigia Brusco) — From 23 to 25 February 2025 at the Bologna Exhibition Centre, Sana Food was held, the new exhibition format of BolognaFiere, created to meet the needs of the organic and natural sector. As far as fruit and vegetables are concerned, there was hardly any fresh produce. On the other hand, at the processing level, there was a wide variety of references on offer.
*Not in the photo report? Send a horizontal photo (at least 1300 pixels wide) and a short caption to [email protected]. (Photo-reportage by Maria Luigia Brusco)*

A new location in Hall 18 (and therefore a new entrance) for the renewed format of Southern Europe's first event dedicated to all declinations of healthy food with a controlled and sustainable supply chain. The influx of visitors was good, thanks to the inauguration on Sunday morning (23 February 2025) and the concurrent Slow Wine Fair.

At the Demeter Italia stand, Giovanni Buccheri (director) and Tatiana Salsi (communication manager).

Buccheri together with Andrea Ferrarini, sales and production manager of Demeter-certified Bio Ferrarini.

The Slow Wine Fair 2025 featured Demeter Italy with the participation of 15 Italian wineries. Pictured is a small representation before a conference in the Demeter Arena: Michele Lorenzetti (oenologist, winemaker and consultant in biodynamic viticulture), Danila Mongardi (winemaker and owner of the farm "Al di là del Fiume" in Marzabotto - BO), Paride Benedetti (agronomist and winemaker, owner of Tenuta Santa Lucia in Mercato Saraceno - FC) and Francesco Bordini (agronomist and winemaker, owner of Villa Papiano Modigliana - FC).

Monia Rontini of Il Regno del Marrone, a company in the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines that produces the Marrone di Castel del Rio Igp, and markets it fresh and processed. The workhorse? The chestnut flour.

Among the novelties presented at Sana Food: WDRINK, a brand of Sigroup International, which qualifies a single botanical line of non-alcoholic distillates. A 100% natural aromatic water, obtained by steam distillation of the edible parts of the plant, carried out in their balsamic moment, without the addition of flavourings, preservatives, sugar or alcohol.

WDRINK is made from fresh organic aromatic flowers and plants (basil, cedarine, helichrysum, geranium, Casola lavender, lemon balm, peppermint, damask rose, rosemary, sage, thyme, Leccino olive), cultivated in Italy and distilled using a preservative process, which preserves their intense fragrance and beneficial properties. The product is available in a 1.5-litre bag-in-box and in a 50 ml glass bottle, white or black, depending on whether it is to be drunk or sprayed as desired directly on drinks or ready-to-eat food, hot or cold.

Whether as a concentrate to be diluted, ready to drink or as a 'perfume' to be sprayed, the product represents an alternative food pairing that stimulates the creativity of chefs to offer unforgettable culinary experiences. Containing no additives, preservatives or alcoholic substances, the aromatic water is pure and totally natural, gentle and non-aggressive, and can therefore also be sprayed on the skin or a particular area to benefit from the plant's natural active ingredients.

Vincenzo Morreale of Bioinagro Srl, owner of the Juipal brand, which qualifies cactus water-based functional beverages in zero-plastic packaging for the consumer sector.

The DolceZero line was recently awarded the first Lorenzo Cagnoni Award 2025, in the category 'Soft drinks, Low & No', at Beer&Food Attraction and BBTech expo.

At the Slow Food collective, the Eccellenze Nolane stand welcomed many visitors on the first day of the fair.

Tastings of ancient tomatoes from Naples, papaccella napoletana and torzella riccia, but not only, kept the operators at the stand busy.

Luca Battaglioli of the Cooperativa Agritur, specialising in fruit and small fruit processing.

Luigi Cataldi (sales manager) and Sergio Dipalma (marketing manager) of Eurosud Cataldi from Gravina, in the province of Bari. A young and ambitious company with an experienced team specialising in floor-standing displays, counter displays, and wooden, plexiglass and forex objects.

Nice initiative at the stand of BMTI, the public company for the development of markets and the dissemination of economic information. How good are you at shopping and knowing the seasonality of products? On a touch screen you had to choose 4 fruits, 4 vegetables, 1 product in the meat section and 3 for seasonal fish. First prize was an apron. Can't guess them all? A bag with information brochures and gadgets.

The highest quality organic produce from the Bioland Suedtirol agricultural cooperative. Organic apples from the main South Tyrolean consortia, cut and ready to eat, and a whole range of apple derivatives and more. The smile of the South Tyrolean producer is the added value at the stand.

Show cooking at the Bioland Suedtirol stand.

Among the novelties presented is Mu Mu Pure Carob from Natura Humana. This is an innovative natural sweetener with a low glycaemic index and very high nutritional value. Carob is a true superfood and precisely to preserve all its properties, it is processed using an innovative cold extraction method.

Calabria Straordinaria was present with an exhibition space and a calendar full of show cooking and tastings.

CasaFolino is a Calabrian company that aims to make Calabria known through authentic and diverse sensory experiences in Italy and around the world.

'We offer a selection of authentic Italian products, from honeys and spreads to risottos and spices, bringing the taste of Italy to your table, wherever you are,' report Casa Folino.

Santo Cauteruccio of Paradiso dei Golosi, a Calabrian company founded in 1996 with the aim of promoting the products of its territory, Buonvicino.

The pickles are produced using fresh raw materials and extra virgin olive oil of Italian origin. Among the best references are Calabrian chilli peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, aubergines and olives.

'We turn almost all Calabrian citrus fruits into jam: citron, bergamot, mandarin, lemon, among others,' Cauteruccio reports.

The Cia-Agricoltori Italiani collective. At the centre are the many associated organic farms, with a full calendar of meetings, show cooking and tastings.

Rubina Mistretta and Calogero Bonfante of the Azienda Agricola 'Le Aromatiche di Girafi' specialising in fresh and dried herbs.

Oregano is one of the company's flagship flavourings. It is available in various formats ranging from jarred leaves to sachets to bunches.

Anselmo Filesi, together with his wife Alessandra, of the organic farm Parano, specialising in Tuscia hazelnuts.

The company focused on established products and a novelty, the idea for which was launched in October 2023. "It took a year and a half and clearly there was a lot of work behind it. For months we experimented to achieve the desired creaminess, fragrance, taste and persistence. Now we hope that quality-conscious consumers will appreciate our products. The concept leaves no room for error: UnaBio, DueBio, TreBio. Creams with one, two or three ingredients, in 180 and 500 gram jars.

Marco Benetti of the Veneto-based Food Idea. "We produce artisanally healthy food in harmony with the life cycle, using only organic and biodynamic ingredients and evaluating for each product the best and most suitable production technique respecting the food and its characteristics.

CHARIS from the Greek 'gratitude' is the company's way of producing vital drinks, working on the memory of the liquid and its harmonisation with the frequency of Mother Earth: water is combined with ingredients by dynamization in an environment where frequencies of 432 Hz (Mozart music) are emitted.

'We make giardiniera according to our grandmother's original recipe for family feast Sundays: organic vegetables grown in Italy, processed separately by hand and cooked in a mixture of white wine vinegar, sunflower oil, sugar and salt,' reports Benetti.

Francesco Colacicco of the Apulian cooperative Contado, which brings together hundreds of members in an area, the Toritto countryside, that has dedicated itself to agriculture with passion and love for centuries.

The Toritto countryside is also the cradle of the Toritto almond, with its 'Filippo Cea' variety.

Cia-Agricoltori Italiani show cooking area.

Veg Area with V Label Italia, covering all veg declinations (vegan, vegetarian, raw vegan and plant-based), highlighting new consumption trends, both at home and away from home, and product innovations.

Ragood, plant-based vegetable ragout, rich in mixed vegetables such as peppers, courgettes, aubergines and onions.

Zero Mea.it products were created with the idea of giving all consumers references that are as similar as possible to meat-based products in taste and consistency. They are vegetable protein-based references, in 100% recyclable packaging and V-Label Vegan certified.

Strawberries and Melannurca also star in liqueurs, certified V-Label Vegan.

Yondu: a versatile seasoning that enhances the intrinsic flavour of ingredients. The natural umami resulting from the slow fermentation and simmering of vegetables lends a delicate flavour and balance to dishes.

Cotto di fichi, 'a new way of saying Puglia Cotto di Fichi is a traditional preparation produced exclusively by hand, through a natural reduction of figs and water. It is suitable for any use thanks to its organoleptic characteristics. In addition to the natural scents of figs, it is rich in olfactory memories of dried fruit, spices, and bitter cocoa.

ICEA - Institute for Ethical and Environmental Certification participated in the fair with an institutional space.

CCPB certifies organic and environmentally sustainable food and non-food products worldwide.

Pancrazio Spa is one of the historical companies in the production of vegetable food preserves in Italy, located in Cava de' Tirreni, 45 km south of Naples. Founded in 1930, it is now run by the third generation of the family. The company produces vegetable food preserves based on the tomato and legume lines, available in conventional or organic versions. In photo, the organic tomato line.

Econoce, a brand of the Euro Company, specialists in organic dried and dehydrated fruit. The natural dried apricots, with their characteristic dark colour, come from Turkey and more precisely from the Malatya region. For the dehydrated mangoes, the company has chosen to rely on a company that every day, in Ghana, strives to improve the living and working conditions of the approximately 1,000 employees working in the production plant.

Maama cream spread with hazelnuts, dates and cocoa processed at low temperatures is an exquisite mix of creaminess and natural flavours. The best Italian roasted hazelnuts combined with date powder for a light sweetness and raw cacao nibs for a pleasant crunchiness.

Plose water, BioPlose juices and nectars, Tea Collection, BioPlose sparkling drinks and Plose Vintage drinks. Speaking of juices and nectars, the tomato juice is a small masterpiece of simplicity: 100% organic Italian tomato and a pinch of salt. For a drink experience with an unmistakable Mediterranean taste. The pomegranate nectar contains only organically grown fruit to keep its natural properties as intact as possible. It contains no preservatives, no colouring agents and no GMOs.

Mango compote and Eden Gold pear compote from Saninforna.

Blife Srl: importer, exporter, packer and distributor of fresh fruit and vegetables, dried fruit and organic raw materials. In photo, Patrizia and Valentina Benedetti (CEO and sales director).

Stand always full for Deanocciola brand spreads.

Leda Cascioli and Federico Guitarrini of the Deangelis company. Under the Deanocciola brand, they offer organic, vegan and gluten-free spreads.

Mario Maranesi (CEO) and Alberto Piovani (sales manager) of Manaresi aziende agricole in Longastrino (FE). "Our ambition is to emerge as a company specialising in the cultivation and processing of top-quality Italian organic tomatoes. We are particularly aiming at exports'.

Second day of the fair, 24 February, 12 noon Awaiting official figures from the organisers, most exhibitors, particularly those who had exhibited at Sana in the past, said they were disappointed with the event.

Fabio Caracausi of 'Tentazioni e Sapori di Davide Scancarella'. The company's main objective is to offer unique, handcrafted products using the best raw materials from Sicily, such as almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts and honey.

Marcello Maira from the farm of the same name in Caltanissetta, which is run organically and produces quality vegetables and pomegranates.

In 2019-2020, the company started processing the products into canned goods, resulting in genuine products with high nutritional value.

Alberto Corradi, Martina Borghi and Elena Tapalaga of the company Funghi Valentina.

White and cream mushrooms. Good to eat, fat-free and low in sugar.

The company's own organic processed mushroom products.

The collective of the Region of Sardinia.

Area Very-V/Italian Vegetarian Association.

Mondové brand: vegan pesto made from fresh basil enriched with pistachios, gondino and spirulina seaweed; 100% vegetable ragout made from lentils; veg plus ragout made from non-GMO soya, which is flavoured and enriched with sage, bay leaf and rosemary.