CASCIANA TERME LARI. Celebrates the hundred years of Pastificio Martelli, a family business that has become over time one of the symbols of Italian pasta in the world. The milestone was celebrated at the Castello dei Vicari, together with institutions and representatives of the agricultural and economic world.
Read more Attack on Ranucci, Lavitola’s ex-partner questioned for 10 hours at the Prosecutor’s Office
Lollobrigida: «An example of Italian quality»
«The quality of our pasta also comes from the quality of the productions that make it possible. Italian wheat is a heritage that we must enhance, because it represents a fundamental part of our supply chain and the quality that the Italian system is capable of expressing,» emphasized the Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida, who spoke at the celebrations.
«Valuing production means recognizing the work of farmers and strengthening a solid and competitive sector. This is how we protect our agricultural system and continue to bring the value of our excellences to the world.»
Lollobrigida then defined Pastificio Martelli as «an extraordinary example of how quality, territory, and entrepreneurial ability can build value over time,» presenting the family with the Italian Quality Ambassadors Award, a recognition given to personalities and entrepreneurs who stand out in promoting Made in Italy and quality products.
The recognition from the Tuscany Region
The Tuscany Region also wanted to pay tribute to the company’s milestone. The president of the regional council Stefania Saccardi, in agreement with the vice president Diego Petrucci, proposed awarding the pasta factory the “Festina Lente” prize, established to enhance Tuscan excellences.
«One hundred years is not just a milestone, but a demonstration of how family businesses know how to preserve knowledge, create jobs, and tell the world about Tuscan quality,» declared the president of the Region Eugenio Giani.
The history of the Martelli family
The day began at the Castello dei Vicari with the presentation of Michele Quirici’s book, “The Martelli family, 100 years of good pasta”, and institutional greetings.
«If Lari is known worldwide, it is also thanks to Martelli pasta,» stated the mayor Paolo Mori, emphasizing the deep bond between the pasta factory and the territory and the company’s ability to transform a product into an identity element of the community.
The celebrations were also attended by the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy Fausta Bergamotto, the national president of Coldiretti Ettore Prandini, Senator Ylenia Zambito, the honorable Irene Gori, member of the Agriculture Commission, the Undersecretary of Health Marcello Gemmato, municipal councilors and some mayors of the province, regional councilors Leonardo Marras and Alessandra Nardini.
«Over the years many girls and boys have come to visit this pasta factory to admire how small masterpieces are born and produced, contained in the famous yellow bags with black writing,» recalled Alessandra Nardini, addressing the family and, in particular, the brothers Mario and Dino, «who have taken up a precious legacy, that of the two brothers Guido and Gastone Martelli.»
The choice to focus on quality
In a century there have been difficult moments but they have been overcome, recalled Knight Dino Martelli. A long history also built through courageous choices, first among all the choice to give up quantity to focus on quality.
«Things are going quite well, let’s say we have also had a bit of luck,» Dino Martelli said with a smile, retracing the steps that led the pasta factory to become one of the symbols of Italian pasta.
The famous yellow package
Among the most recognizable elements is naturally the famous yellow package, rustic like the ancient straw paper and golden like the wheat ripened under the Tuscan sun. A choice that, at first, not everyone welcomed with enthusiasm. «They advised us against using this color – Martelli recalled – they said it wouldn’t be liked. Instead, it was not like that at all.»
Yellow celebration in the village of Lari
The centenary concluded in the afternoon with a yellow celebration in the village of Lari, open to the community, with a tasting of Martelli pasta and the inauguration of an exhibition. A way to also celebrate the deep bond between a family business and the town on the hills of the province of Pisa.
Read more Soccer, illness on the padel court: Andrea Camplone in serious condition