Valposchiavo Smart Valley Bio
A heritage-based food system strategy that promotes sustainable development by safeguarding traditional Alpine food practices. Developed since 2012 in the Valposchiavo valley (Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland), it integrates ecological, cultural, and economic dimensions through local supply chains, intergenerational knowledge transmission, and community participation.
A key component of the strategy is the territorial brand “100% Valposchiavo”, which ensures that all products are grown, processed, and consumed within the valley, enhancing traceability and reinforcing local identity.
The strategy was also made possible through the Regional Development Project “100% (Bio) Valposchiavo”, supported by the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of Graubünden, which enabled the creation of infrastructures, cooperation models, and quality standards essential to its implementation.
The strategy shows how cultural traditions can drive circular, place-based development while addressing today’s sustainability and resilience challenges, becoming so a replicable safeguarding practice of Alpine Food Heritage.
100% Valposchiavo
ALP24 – International Alpine Food Contest
A cross-border event held in Stans (Switzerland), dedicated to promoting and awarding high-quality food products that embody the cultural and ecological richness of the Alpine region. Organized by the Culinarium Alpinum, the contest brings together producers, experts, and consumers from all Alpine countries. Products are evaluated by international juries according to transparent criteria, including taste, craftsmanship, origin, and sustainability.
More than just a competition, ALP24 includes public tastings, workshops, and networking activities that create a space for exchange between tradition and innovation. It highlights local varieties, promotes small-scale producers, and encourages storytelling around food heritage.
ALP26 enhances the visibility of traditional knowledge and practices, supports producers in maintaining quality and authenticity, and fosters pride and transmission within local communities. By linking heritage to market opportunities and cultural exchange, it strengthens the resilience and continuity of Alpine food systems.
International Alpine Food Contest
PALP Festival
Based in Valais (CH), is a multidisciplinary cultural project that combines music, contemporary art, and Alpine heritage. Running from May to September, it takes place across diverse Alpine settings—from mountain pastures to castles—and features immersive events like La Rocklette and L’Electroclette, which creatively blend raclette, music, and landscapes of cheese production.
At the heart of the festival is the celebration of Alpine food heritage as a living expression of mountain life and identity. Through culinary hikes, artistic residencies, and participatory projects, PALP fosters short supply chains, intergenerational exchange, and community involvement.
Two key events—the Grand Marché des Terroirs Alpins and the Marché des Fromages d’Alpage—bring together producers from across the Alpine arc to showcase traditional know-how, tastes, and local food cultures.
As a good safeguarding practice of Alpine food heritage, PALP Festival revitalizes food traditions by linking them to artistic innovation, territorial storytelling, and public engagement—ensuring their transmission, visibility, and continued relevance in contemporary society.
PALP Festival
