The 17th edition of the event that celebrates the excellence of the Italian agricultural supply chai
In the heart of the fields of Casalvecchio di Puglia, nestled in the Monti Dauni where wheat comes to life, the 17th edition of the Harvest Festival was held—an iconic event for Molino De Vita, organized in collaboration with the Pastificio dei Campi of Gragnano and with the participation of Giuseppe Di Martino.
As every year, the mill and the surrounding fields were transformed into a place of connection, sharing, and memory.
The day began just the way we like it: with our feet in the soil and our eyes on those who care for it every day.
Guests were welcomed with the evocative photography of Michele Fini, followed by a walk through the wheat fields and a demonstration of traditional threshing with a restored 1930s harvester.
Between smiles, handshakes, stories and age-old gestures, the day reminded us that wheat is not just a raw material—it is culture, identity, and promise.
Alongside Nicola De Vita, the mind and driving force behind the event, and Giuseppe Di Martino, president of the Pastificio dei Campi, were several prominent institutional and industry figures:
Raffaele Piemontese, Vice President of the Puglia Region;
Lorenzo Pilieri, newly appointed CEO of Bologna-based organic certification body CCPB;
and Michele Pistillo, Business Developer at the science and technology park Techenoscience.
The festival also provided an opportunity to reflect on the current state of Italian wheat production.
Favorable weather conditions have led to excellent wheat quality across Puglia, Sicily, and the South more broadly.
What stood out was the extremely high level of specialization among Italian farmers—an internationally recognized standard of excellence.
And it is from this very wheat that a pasta is born—one that is far more than just food.
It is an ambassador of Made in Italy around the world.
Choosing to make pasta with Italian wheat is not just a production decision; it is a cultural act, a commitment to traceability and transparency, and a declaration of pride in our roots.
This commitment is embodied in the long-standing partnership between Molino De Vita and Pastificio dei Campi, united by a shared vision of a 100% Italian supply chain built on trust, quality, and respect.
It is a vision that continues to grow, bringing in new generations: this year’s festival also saw the participation of Valerio and Gerardo Di Martino, son and grandson of Giuseppe, and Francesca and Vincenzo De Vita, children of Nicola, symbolically passing the torch to a future that holds strong to tradition.
The day concluded, as always, with the Tavola del Grano ("Wheat Table"), masterfully curated by Chef Nicola Consiglio, a founding member of the newly established Chef del Mediterraneo association.
A simple yet meaningful lunch, where every dish told the story of the land it came from.
A heartfelt, communal moment, accompanied by the folk music of the Arbëreshë group of Casalvecchio di Puglia, closing the day in the most beautiful way possible.
For us, this festival is more than a celebration of harvest—it’s a celebration of who we are.