The EU Organic Award, promoted by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the Committee of the Regions, COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe, was created to give visibility to European agricultural realities that integrate innovation and sustainability in production food. The award aims to encourage less impactful agriculture, supporting those companies that, like Girolomoni, have chosen organic as their production philosophy.
Deep roots in the lands of Montefeltro
The cooperative develops in an area that was once under the dominion of the Duke of Urbino, Federico da Montefeltro, a figure that Gino Girolomoni admired for his intelligence and ability to “make a mountain town a capital of the world.” This environment, although impervious from a production point of view, is rich in environmental, landscape and cultural value.
The Montebello Monastery, today the symbol of the cooperative and also depicted in its logo, is the beating heart of the activity. Gino Girolomoni had observed the remains of the monastery since he was a child, considering it a place of rebirth for the village of Isola del Piano. In the 14th century, the Blessed Pietro Gambacorta founded the Congregation of San Girolamo in this place, building a monastery which became the spiritual and cultural center of the area.
Since the 1970s, the Girolomoni Cooperative has been based inside the Monastery, becoming a pioneer of organic agriculture in Italy. Around this symbol of history and culture, there are the mill for milling Italian wheat and the pasta factory that produces the cooperative’s organic pasta, thus maintaining the supply chain short and traceable.
A local supply chain model: from seed to plate
Girolomoni’s supply chain, which goes “from seed to plate,” is an example of sustainability. The wheat, grown in the Marche region, is transformed into semolina and processed directly in Isola del Piano. This approach reduces the environmental impact, enhances the work of local farmers and guarantees a quality and traceable product.
In addition to production, the Monastery now hosts spaces dedicated to culture and dissemination. There Girolomoni Foundation promotes cultural activities and publishes the magazine “Mediterraneo Dossier”; there Educational farm offers educational paths such as a visit to the Museum of Rural Civilization, while the B&B Girolomoni with its rooms and meeting rooms it hosts conferences, retreats and training activities in nature. The restored church of the monastery and the future library, which will contain the books of Gino Girolomoni, continue to give life to the idea of a place of cultural growth, where themes such as ecology, spirituality and history can be explored.
Over the past few decades, the company has seen significant growth, both in terms of production and exports. Today, Girolomoni pasta is distributed in over 30 countries, with main markets in Europe, the United States, Japan and Australia. However, this success has not come without challenges: organic requires constant investments in research and new technologies, but also a sensitivity towards the environment and the local community that goes beyond profit.
The challenges of organic
The Girolomoni case highlights the challenges and opportunities of organic farming. The cooperative invests in the selection of wheat varieties resistant to climate change and in the digitalisation of the supply chain to make production even more transparent. Over the years, it has adopted energy saving solutions, developed 100% paper packaging and renovated its headquarters with eco-compatible materials.
However, organic remains a sector that requires support at a political and regulatory level to guarantee the growth of committed companies like Girolomoni. This European recognition can be a positive and encouraging signal for other small agricultural businesses that seek to follow a more ethical and environmentally friendly production model.
A legacy that looks to the future
More than fifty years after its foundation, the Girolomoni Cooperative is committed to carrying forward Gino’s vision, focusing on innovative projects that combine tradition and sustainability.
Only when organic becomes a habit will we be able to free ourselves from pesticides, not only in food, but also as environmental contamination, says Giovanni Battista Girolomoni, current president of the cooperative.
The EU Organic Award adds to the numerous recognitions obtained by Girolomoni, which today represents a model for those who see organic not just as a commercial choice, but as a commitment to the well-being of the land and communities.
