The Queen of Oranges

This week we learn about the Maltese orange and the country of Tunisia. The Maltese orange, also known as the "Queen of Oranges", has a unique story highlighted in the article linked below. We invite you to read the linked story and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations with others around the globe. 

Tunisia's "Queen of Oranges"

Discussion Points

• What makes the Maltese orange's story unique and why?
• As Tunisia is known for the Maltese orange, is your home region known for certain famous foods or agricultural products? To what extent are the products identified exclusive to your home region?
• The Maltese orange has great cultural impacts on Tunisia. How does food impact our cultures or how do our cultures impact our food?
• Certain foods (or names of food) are grown/raised/produced in specific parts of the world, such as Prosciutto di Parma (ham) from Parma Italy. There have been discussions, and arguments, if specific naming rights of food products belong to certain regions of the world. Do you believe naming rights of food belong to specific regions or are they free to be grown anywhere in the world with the same label/name? Could the "Queen of Oranges" be reserved for Maltese oranges from Tunisia?

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems

Today we highlight Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). Linked below is a short video from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations that highlights GIAHS and the important rolls they play. We encourage you to watch the linked video and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations around the globe!

Preserving these ancestral agricultural systems is vital for the future of food!

Discussion Points

• Explain what a GIAHS is. Feel free to do additional research if needed.
• What are examples of GIAHS shared in the video as well as additional GIAHS? Are there any GIAHS in your local community?
• Four benefits of GIAHS are shared in the video (provide food and livelihood security, promote agrobiodiversity, preserve natural resources, and promote agro-tourism). Explain how GIAHS provides these benefits.
• Of the four benefits mentioned in the video and above which do you feel is most important and why?