Food Districts as a Form of Local Food System Governance Regulated by Italian Law

In Italian law there is no definition of “local food systems” (LFSs). However, for over twenty years Italian institutions at State and Regional level have been promoting LFSs to encourage local development and the transition towards more inclusive and sustainable food systems. The article analyses Food Districts as the only form of LFS organization and governance regulated by State law and implemented by regional legislation. It starts with an examination of the evolution of the “district” paradigm in agri-food legislation where the model of multilevel governance and the application of the subsidiarity principle are underlined and continues by focussing on the original approach of Tuscany in supporting Food Districts. In fact, Tuscany is the only Italian Region that has chosen to register the “Roads” of wine, olive oil and other typical agri-food products as well as the “Communities of food and biodiversity for agriculture and food” in the National List of Food Districts. Finally, the article examines the last step in the evolution of Italian legislation on the promotion of “districts” in the agri-food sector, the “Typical Italian Product Districts”, highlighting how the ratio legis differs with respect to Food Districts.