Cheese as a food souvenir in Sicily

Abstract

Souvenirs are elements of territorial communication, and they are examples of the marketing strategy of destinations. Souvenirs are objects that allow us to remember moments we have experienced and places we have visited. Drawing on the close relationships between places and souvenirs, this paper analyses cheese as a food souvenir in the island of Sicily. The method is based on a qualitative design which includes visits and interviews with local sellers in the food markets and food shops in Palermo, with the objective to reveal how cheese is protected and promoted as a symbol of Sicilian culture and heritage from a marketing perspective. Results of the paper show that cheeses made in Sicily are pivotal in the cheese marketing, while Italian cheeses also find their commercialization space. International cheeses are only available as styled cheeses also made in the country. Theoretical and practical implications are described.

The perceived authenticity in food among sociological generations: the case of cheeses in Mexico

“…, 2016; Sidali et al ., 2021). However, it can generate alternative discourses based on the associations that consumers make with authenticity, contributing to the value creation of these local products (Pérez, 2016), an aspect that could restore the food culture of the rural areas where it comes from (Fusté-Forné et al ., 2022).…”

“…, 2017; Prayag et al. , 2022) and as a marketing resource (Fusté-Forné et al ., 2022) representing a desired quality based on ethical, environmental, biochemical and market criteria (Bernoussi and Sirieix, 2020).…”