The REINVESTIR project partnership, funded by the Interreg NEXT Italy Tunisia programme, is taking part in World Kidney Day through the event “NefroChef – The Taste of Life”, scheduled for 12 March 2026 at 9:00 AM at the Gambero Rosso Academy Città del Gusto – Palermo Marina Yachting, Molo Trapezoidale.
The initiative brings together scientific research, clinical nutrition and agri-food innovation, through the presentation of innovative food products based on Moringa oleifera – including bread and bakery products, cheeses, ricotta and FreeP pastries with reduced phosphorus content – designed to support specific dietary regimens for patients with chronic kidney disease.
Moringa oleifera, a plant species of growing scientific interest, is the subject of numerous studies on its nutritional, nutraceutical and functional properties, making it particularly promising for the development of functional foods suited to specialised clinical diets.
The event is organised by Angelo Ferrantelli, President of the Italian Kidney Foundation – Sicily and Director of the Complex Operative Unit of Nephrology, Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation at ARNAS Ospedale Civico in Palermo, in collaboration with Marco Guarneri, Director of the Nephrology and Dialysis Unit at the Policlinico Universitario Paolo Giaccone in Palermo. The goal is to transform the nephrological diet – too often perceived as a mere therapeutic constraint – into a genuine high-quality gastronomic experience, at the crossroads of clinical medicine, nutritional science and fine dining.
During the event, 12 patients with kidney disease, accompanied by their caregivers, will take part in a culinary challenge hosted by internationally renowned chefs – Nino Graziano, Tony Lo Coco, Pino Cuttaia, Carmelo Trentacosti and Pietro La Torre – with dishes crafted in accordance with the key nutritional parameters of the nephrological diet, with particular attention to controlling intake of proteins, potassium and phosphorus.
REINVESTIR’s participation is part of its scientific cooperation and agri-food innovation transfer activities in the Mediterranean, recently presented at the University of Palermo during the Interreg NEXT Italy–Tunisia international conference, hosted by the Department of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Sciences (SAAF). The event brought together universities, institutions, research centres and businesses committed to developing new sustainable and nutraceutical agri-food supply chains.
Statements
Carlo Greco, researcher at the SAAF Department of the University of Palermo, states: “The REINVESTIR project demonstrates how precision agriculture technologies can contribute to the enhancement of high nutraceutical value crops, such as Moringa oleifera. By combining sensors, remote sensing and agronomic data analysis, it becomes possible to develop sustainable and innovative supply chains capable of producing functional foods that meet specific dietary needs, particularly in the field of nephrology.”
Michele Massimo Mammano, Principal Researcher at the CREA DC Research Centre for Defence and Certification in Palermo, states: “The REINVESTIR project concretely illustrates how scientific research can contribute to the protection of biodiversity and the enhancement of plant species adapted to Mediterranean environments. Moringa oleifera Lam. is of particular interest due to its richness in bioactive compounds and its potential for producing functional foods also intended for clinical nutrition, with positive impacts on the Italian and Tunisian agricultural sectors.”
Alessandro Melillo, representative of PRISM Impresa Sociale s.r.l., states: “The value of the REINVESTIR project also lies in its ability to strengthen skills and foster the transfer of knowledge between research, businesses and local communities. The cooperation between Italy and Tunisia opens up new prospects for innovation and sustainable development in the Mediterranean agri-food sector, with tangible benefits for local communities.”
A gastronomic journey dedicated to Moringa
The event also features a tasting trail focused on the gastronomic enhancement of Moringa, with the participation of several local producers:
- bread and biscuits from Panificio Calabrisi
- pastries from Pasticceria Norman, created by master pastry chef Natale Trentacoste
- Moringa pizza from Locanda dell’Angelo
- FreeP cheeses and ricotta enriched with Moringa from Caseificio Campagna
This initiative represents a concrete example of integration between scientific research, food innovation, training and local businesses. It demonstrates how the REINVESTIR project can contribute to the emergence of new sustainable, functional and health-oriented food models, within the framework of Euro-Mediterranean scientific cooperation between Italy and Tunisia.
