Surgital and the Food Valley: Italian Excellence on Tables Around the World

Emilia-Romagna is the cradle of Italy’s Food Valley, a region where agri-food excellence intertwines with a highly specialized industrial network. From precision mechanics to ceramics, from shipbuilding to medical technology, from advanced packaging and logistics solutions to agricultural production and food processing—its most valuable asset is the agri-food sector, with a strong focus on quality, research, sustainability, and food safety.

This region is the beating heart of Italian agri-food excellence. With 44 PDO and PGI products, Emilia-Romagna holds the national record for protected designations of origin.

Its production ecosystem is also strongly aligned with Industry 4.0, thanks to a network of research centers, businesses, and institutions that drive innovation in the agri-food sector. This drive for excellence is reinforced by the presence of key institutions such as the EFSA – European Food Safety Authority, headquartered in Parma, and a packed calendar of international trade fairs such as Cibus, Cibus Tec, Macfrut, Sana, and Sigep. These events consolidate Emilia-Romagna’s global position and create significant growth opportunities for local companies, facilitating knowledge exchange and access to foreign markets.

FoodER – Food University of Emilia-Romagna could only have been born here. This initiative aims to transform the Food Valley into an international network for innovation and education.
An academic hub and a model of public-private collaboration that connects universities, businesses, and institutions, with the goal of training highly skilled professionals and developing innovative solutions for the agri-food sector.

Surgital plays a key role in this project. As a leader in frozen fresh pasta production and an ambassador of the Food Valley worldwide, we chose to join FoodER to reaffirm our commitment: investing in the training of new generations and the development of advanced technological solutions to bring the excellence of Italian culinary tradition to international markets.

Our focus is particularly on one of FoodER’s pillars: Clust-ER Agrifood. This initiative unites companies, universities, and research institutions to develop advanced solutions across the entire supply chain, from field to table. Through four strategic lines—precision agriculture, food safety, innovation in production processes, and valorization of by-products—Clust-ER helps make the regional agri-food system increasingly competitive and sustainable.

With FoodER, Our Vision Takes Shape

The Food Valley is a valuable heritage that must be preserved.
It is a constantly evolving ecosystem that requires concrete investments in training, research, and innovation. And FoodER is the strategic project that translates the region’s agri-food identity into a platform for future development. A study center and a true innovation laboratory where academic knowledge and business expertise come together to develop cutting-edge, sustainable solutions for the entire agri-food supply chain.
Recognizing its strategic value, we immediately applied to join the initiative and take a leading role in it. We want to actively contribute to this network, bringing our expertise in frozen fresh pasta and our artisanal intelligence, which ensures high-quality, safe, and sustainable products.

Through FoodER, we aim to strengthen and enhance the role of the Food Valley on an international level, promoting culinary excellence and a development model based on skills, research, and strategic vision.

A Tangible Ecosystem for Innovation and the Territory

Surgital is deeply rooted in its territory. Our production is entirely based in Lavezzola, and we have always been committed to fostering a network of synergies involving local businesses, universities, and cultural initiatives, from food festivals to gastronomic events.
Corporate welfare, in addition to providing undeniable benefits to employees, also represents a crucial driver of growth for local enterprises, which see Surgital as a solid partner for economic development.

The Romagna fresh pasta we produce and promote is the symbol of Italian fresh pasta worldwide. Promoting this gastronomic heritage is an international challenge. We do not just export a product—we export an entire food culture, a territory, and a tradition.

Artisanal Intelligence

Being ambassadors of tradition does not mean being rooted in the past but rather looking to the future with cutting-edge tools.
For us, Artisanal Intelligence means having transformed industrial production without losing the heart of craftsmanship. We have taught machines the expert gestures of master pasta makers, adapting production processes to precisely replicate the sensitivity and expertise of those who work with fresh pasta. Every day, our experts assess and fine-tune the dough based on constantly changing variables, just as a chef would in their kitchen.

Freezing also plays a crucial role. It is the key to preserving the quality, flavor, and texture of our pasta, ensuring perfect shelf life without compromise. That is why we have chosen it as the most natural technology to export our products worldwide while maintaining their freshness and nutritional properties, just as if they were freshly made.

This is true Artisanal Intelligence — our perfect balance between respect for tradition, technological innovation, sustainability, and authenticity. Our recipes and production processes maintain a strong connection to Italian gastronomic culture, ensuring quality and food safety on a global scale. Advanced packaging also plays a fundamental role, protecting and enhancing the products while reducing environmental impact and ensuring efficient transport.

With this approach, Surgital brings authentic Romagna fresh pasta to tables all over the world.