With 180,000 quintals of milk processed, two plants (one in Reggio, in the San Maurizio area, and the other in Casalgrande, in the Molinazza area), 25 members and an equal number of employees, the cooperative is one of the largest in the Parmigiano Reggiano district. Not only that, it is also among the oldest in the sector: on the occasion of the inauguration of the new warehouse, it will celebrate 103 years since its founding on April 7, 1922.



"A story," President Paolo Guglielmi emphasized, "that began in a challenging period for cooperatives, but was rooted in the courage and resourcefulness of nine partners who, in this way, wanted to create a transformative reality capable of freeing agricultural producers from their then-very strong dependence on traders and speculators who exploited the perishability of milk to obtain humiliating remuneration."

That day, Enrico Burani, Abbondio Cantarelli, Enrico Casali, Eugenio Fontanesi, Gaudenzio Ligabue, Italo Mazzi, Guido Radighieri, Serafino Rossini, and Ambrogio Siligardi presented themselves before notary Guido Casotti to establish the "Villa Curta in San Maurizio Cooperative Dairy." The purpose, as stated in the articles of association, was to "collect milk from members and process it to improve their products, thereby providing producers with a fair price for milk and encouraging livestock farmers to progressively improve their cattle breeds and increase milk production."

An encouragement that has not faded over time: today Latteria Villa Curta processes 180,000 quintals of milk, produces one hundred wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano a day, has a turnover of 17 million euros, has two stores open to the public and, through online sales, is present in Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The partners, Guglielmi explained, "are engaged in raising 2,300 dairy cows and grazing 900 hectares of land. This is the starting point for the dairy's growth, and with the inauguration of the new warehouse, the dairy marks another milestone in its history, having the ability to independently age its entire year's production." The investment in the new warehouse, which can hold 36,000 wheels (previously 10,000), amounts to three million euros.

The inauguration on Saturday, April 12th, scheduled for 11:00 a.m., will feature Reggio Emilia's Deputy Mayor Lanfranco de Franco, Reggio Emilia's Prefect Maria Rita Cocciufa, Reggio Emilia's Bishop Giacomo Morandi, Regional Councilor for Agriculture Alessio Mammi, Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium President Nicola Bertinelli, and Confcooperative Terre d'Emilia President Matteo Caramaschi.

During the morning, certificates of recognition will also be awarded to cheesemakers Giuseppe Lusetti (in service from 1968 to 1988), Luigi Montruccoli (from 1989 to 2005), and Gianni Mantovani, who was later succeeded by his son Gianluca, who has been master cheesemaker at the San Maurizio dairy for several years. In Casalgrande, Giovanni Zanelli is in charge.

"Along with the members," President Guglielmi observed, "the cheesemakers themselves are the central figures in the dairies' business, and reaching the milestone represented by the new warehouse is the fruit of a professionalism and dedication for which we are deeply grateful."

The inauguration on April 12th will precede by 24 hours the special opening on Sunday, April 13th, during the consortium's "Caseifici Aperti" event: the proceeds from the event will be donated to the intensive care unit of the Santa Maria Nuova hospital in Reggio.