There is a common thread connecting all our August posts: San Lorenzo and its special meaning for us at Consorzio Gourm.it.

In this week's blog, we want to talk about Cooperativa San Lorenzo, a member of our Consortium since the 2000s. Based in Pegognaga, it supports farms mainly in the Mantua area, as well as in Emilia and the Brescia province.

From Tradition to the Present Day

It all began in 1992, when about ten farmers decided to join forces to purchase raw materials together. From those 18 founding members, year after year, the cooperative spirit has grown the organization to today's 140 members: mostly dairy farms raising cows whose milk is used to produce Parmigiano Reggiano PDO and Grana Padano PDO, including the cheeses you find on Gourm.it.

Concrete Sustainability: From the Barn to the Wheel

A truck equipped with a mobile separator, owned by the Cooperative, travels among the member farms: it collects manure, separates it, and supplies local biogas and biomethane plants.

Agricultural waste thus becomes renewable energy, offering direct benefits for animal welfare and barn management—one of the most concrete examples of a circular economy in the region.

Taking care of the farms ultimately means taking care of the quality of the milk that will become Parmigiano Reggiano PDO and Grana Padano PDO.

This same philosophy drives the Progetto Farmaco (Pharmaceutical Project): 8 contracts with veterinary pharmaceutical companies and a Technical Hub for sample analysis, all designed to safeguard livestock health. Because high-quality milk always starts with a healthy animal.

Focus on Research and Development

The Cooperative has always believed in research, running several projects dedicated to the environmental sustainability of PDO supply chains. Among these, Life DOP focuses specifically on the environmental impact of productions such as Parmigiano Reggiano.

In recent years, this commitment has also translated into participating in the NRRP (PNRR) Program "Filiera Export Gourm.it dei formaggi DOP Parmigiano Reggiano e Grana Padano": the supply chain project led by Consorzio Gourm.it, dedicated to the sustainable development and internationalization of these two great Italian PDO cheeses.

Training and the Next Generation

After ten years of activity, Cooperativa San Lorenzo gave rise to Cooperativa San Isidoro, which focuses on training and technical assistance for members. This includes mandatory courses, such as artificial insemination and tractor operation, as well as voluntary training on calf and heifer care to support farmers in their daily livestock management.

Furthermore, an initiative from both cooperatives led to the creation of Field Generation: 37 young people under 30 in the agricultural sector who are building the future of cooperation through training, culture, solidarity, and community events.

From manure converted into energy to research projects, from the passion of the young members of Field Generation to the daily dedication of the farmers: behind every wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO and Grana Padano PDO is a supply chain that innovates without ever losing sight of animal welfare and sustainability.

For us at Consorzio Gourm.it, bringing our excellence to tables all over the world means sharing authentic values, made possible by organizations like Cooperativa San Lorenzo.

And it is no coincidence that this story once again carries the name of San Lorenzo, our patron saint and guiding thread: bringing to life the wish for something genuinely good and special.