Circular Economy for Food Award
UNISG students awarded in the Spoke 7 Students' Challenge in collaboration with Agrimontana
On Monday, September 22, at the UNISG stand during the Cheese 2025 event, the awards ceremony for the Students' Challenge "Circular Economy for Food" was held. The challenge, organized by the University of Gastronomic Sciences as part of the activities of Spoke 7 – Secondary Agro-industry of the NODES project, was held.
The challenge, conceived as an innovative educational activity, involved 78 students from the Bachelor's Degree in Gastronomic Sciences and Cultures, who were asked to develop entrepreneurial projects to enhance the circular economy of by-products deriving from the production processes of Agrimontana srl, a historic company specializing in candied fruit, marrons glacés, and natural ingredients for fine pastry and catering.
The students, organized into 26 working groups, presented original concepts capable of combining creativity, sustainability, and market perspectives. During the event, moderated by Prof. Franco Fassio, 4 groups were awarded:
- 1st place: Beer in motion – piasi senza tormento – craft beer that valorizes fruit waste and represents the local area;
- 2nd place: VIVO – Circular Economy Vermouth – dry red vermouth produced with candy syrups;
- 3rd place: Agrimontana Energy Squeeze – hypotonic drink made with candy syrups;
- Special mention: Agrimontana Beauty – natural and biodegradable depilatory wax.
The three The winning groups received prizes offered by Agrimontana.
"The NODES Challenge, developed in collaboration with Agrimontana, involved Pollenzo students in a transdisciplinary design process aimed at valorizing candying by-products in a sustainable and innovative way. The results confirm the importance of an educational approach that combines research, creativity, and local businesses to promote circular and competitive models," said Professor Franco Fassio, coordinator of the initiative.
The event included introductory remarks by Professor Luisa Torri (Spoke 7 Project Manager), Dr. Chiara Bardini (Agrimontana representative), and Professor Michele Fino, who underlined the value of the NODES project as a bridge between training, innovation, and agri-food companies.
