A recently published book details experiences that set a precedent

Companies that are able to build on their identity and their work  over time enhance the value of the local area in which they are based,  and this often happens in Italy, especially in certain sectors. These ideas form the basis of the recently published book edited by Tatiana Castellotti and Gabriella Lo Feudo, titled ‘L’industria alimentare tra cultura del Made in Italy, sviluppo locale e turismo esperienziale:  il caso dei musei e degli archivi d’impresa’ (The food industry between the culture of Made in Italy, local development, and experiential tourism: the case of corporate museums and archives).

The work, edited by Castellotti and Lo Feudo, is based on a study by CREA (the Council for Agricultural Research and Analysis of Agricultural Economics), which was conducted on the museums and archives of food and beverage companies. It stems from an investigation into the role of food and beverage companies in regional governance, carried out through case studies. Based on the initial examples, it emerged that museums and archives play an important role in promoting products and territories, acting as spokespersons for companies deeply rooted in the places where they are key players in socio-cultural development. Following the initial findings, the study was therefore expanded to include Food & Beverage museums affiliated with Museimpresa (which brings together companies from various sectors that have established accessible archives and museums), with the aim of providing a more comprehensive picture of the phenomenon. A picture that, in fact, has taken the form of a book.

There are six in-depth sections, ranging from the role of the food industry in the national economy, to reasons why companies should establish a place to tell their stories today. This leads to a series of examples of how ‘corporate histories’ are utilised and promoted through archives and museums. Finally, the second part of the volume features presentation profiles, specific questionnaires and in-depth analyses dedicated to significant companies such as  Amarelli, Barilla, Carli, Martini & Rossi, Cuomo, Lucano, Pasta di Gragnano, Lavazza, Peroni and Strega. For each company, the book recounts its history, approach and promotional strategies.

The collection of in-depth articles edited by Tatiana Castellotti and Gabriella Lo Feudo has one major advantage:  it clearly summarises the importance and practical applications of business activities at the intersection of production, the local area, and culture. It offers a fine selection of ‘case studies’ that could serve as a model for others.

L’industria alimentare tra cultura del Made in Italy, sviluppo locale e turismo esperienziale: il caso dei musei e degli archivi d’impresa

Tatiana Castellotti, Gabriella Lo Feudo

Rubbettino, 2026