Dom Peter, the monastery’s spokesman for the United Kingdom says, “We are delighted to officially launch our organic food range at one of London's most prestigious food retailers. We believe, as Christians, that we must cultivate and produce food in a way that protects the environment for future generations.”

The monastery’s organic products include an estate extra-virgin olive oil, 'pelati' tomatoes, a range of fruit juices from its own orchards - apricots, cherries, plums, pears, peaches - and fresh buffalo mozzarella from the community’s 100 strong buffalo herd.

Gennaro Contaldo endorses the quality of the community's products, “I consider this food range to be as fine as any in Italy. I use their wonderful tomatoes in my own kitchens both at Passione and in my home. Having visited the community and seen the work they do on behalf of young people, I want to assist them in any way I can, in what is God's work on earth”.

Leo Smith, Taste-Italia cookery school in Billericay says, “We have been using the monastery’s products in our school in the UK for two years, they are simply the finest we have used. The oil has been described by cookery writer Ursula Ferrigno as “In the top five oils I have ever tasted.””

Cooking Holidays at the Monastery of Vallechiara - This autumn Taste-Italia is running cookery courses in this beautiful location providing the opportunity for cookery enthusiasts to savour a little of the tranquility of religious life while at the same time having a joyful and worthwhile learning experience.

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