The 'Città del Bio' logo was created to enhance the experiences of local government in the town, and promote the development of projects relating to important aspects such as the sale of organic food, the promotion and development of organic farming, informing consumers and encouraging them to be aware of ecological and ethical issues, and promoting ecologically sustainable development, using techniques and products which are compatible with the environment, both in the sectors of production and in the services sector, as well as with standards of living in our towns and cities.
Accordingly the word 'organic' (biologico) does not just mean a production sector, it also involves a cultural process, involving raising people’s awareness and providing information, in favour of the food we eat and the environment which we live in.

The 'Città del Bio' logo is sponsored by the AIAB - the Italian Association for Organic Farming - and it arrived in Colle di Val d'Elsa, after a few years’ experience, with the introduction of organic products on school menus.
This initiative has been well-received, and the intention is to continue by promoting the production of organic food in the local area, on the one hand, and on the other hand by promoting the culture of organic production.
Italy leads Europe in terms of the scale of organic farming, with 63,156 certified businesses at the end of 2001, up 22.5% on the previous year, when there were 'only' 51,552.
There were 1,182,403 hectares of land farmed organically at the end of 2001, a 10.6% rise.
Increasing the number of specialist shops, launching the experience of organic street markets, which are held in Colle on the second Sunday of every month, increasing the number of meals served up not only in schools which use organic products, and increasing the number of organic food shelves in supermarkets -- these are the aims.
Also, the organic label is geared towards promoting the improvement of typical and local production, and also promoting the environmental context in which that production takes place, owing to the attention which is given to safeguarding and defending the integrity of the surrounding countryside, which thereby also attracts consumers who purchase goods in Colle, or direct from agricultural producers.
This is a project that puts the culture back into agriculture, and ultimately aims to show that a new 'way of life' is possible, and Colle di Val d'Elsa aims to be its standard-bearer.
An approach which respects the environment, and the need to preserve bio-diversity and local forms of diversity and natural resources, and one which is also interested in the quality of life.

Web: www.cittadelbio.it