Is it locally produced?
è pro-DOT-to lo-KA-le
Checking whether the product comes from the local area or was brought from elsewhere.
Italian consumers increasingly value km0 (zero-kilometre) produce — food grown nearby. Many market vendors distinguish between produce they grow themselves (nostrano) and items sourced from wholesale markets. Asking matters.
È nostrano?
Is it local/ours?
'Nostrano' implies grown locally, often by the vendor
L'avete coltivato voi?
Did you grow it yourselves?
Asking if the vendor is also the farmer
Viene dalla zona?
Does it come from this area?
Broader question about regional origin
The km0 movement in Italy grew from the Slow Food philosophy founded by Carlo Petrini in Piedmont. Many Italian municipalities now designate market stalls as km0 if produce is grown within 70 km.