Photo: Filipe Patrocínio
Scientific articles on GEOfood
The GEOfood initiative is increasingly recognized in academic research exploring the relationship between geoheritage, local food systems, sustainable tourism, and regional development within UNESCO Global Geoparks. Researchers from different disciplines—including geography, environmental studies, gastronomy, and sustainable development—are studying how food can help communicate the value of geological landscapes while supporting local communities.
A Framework for Geoconservation in Mining Landscapes: Opportunities for Geopark and GEOfood Approaches in Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Raphael Ocelli Pinheiro, Sara Gentilini, Marco Giardino
Journal: Resources (MDPI) – 2023
This peer-reviewed article explores how GEOfood and geopark strategies can support sustainable development and geoconservation, linking geoheritage with local communities and territorial identity.
🔗 https://doi.org/10.3390/resources12020020
Geoproducts – Innovative Development Strategies in UNESCO Geoparks
Journal: International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks
This paper discusses geoproducts and GEOfood branding as tools to connect local food production with geodiversity and tourism development in UNESCO Global Geoparks.
🔗 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2577444120300629
Promoting Local Food into Gastro-Tourism at the Gunung Kubing Geosite of Belitong UNESCO Global Geopark
Journal: International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science – 2025
The study analyzes how geofood concepts and local food branding can support geotourism development and sustainable local economies in geoparks.
🔗 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878450X25002409
Engaging Local Food SMEs – GEOfood Brand
Authors: Sara Gentilini, Per Thjømøe
Conference: International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks
Research explaining the criteria, philosophy, and development of the GEOfood brand, focusing on collaboration with local producers and SMEs in geoparks.
GEOfood for Sustainable Development in UNESCO Global Geoparks (IGCP 726 Project)
UNESCO research program developing scientific methodologies to analyze the link between geodiversity, ecosystem services, food production, and sustainable development in geoparks.
🔗 https://www.unesco.org/en/iggp/igcp-projects/726
GEOfood: Connection Between Geology and Food
Research presentation and scientific dissemination activity explaining the scientific rationale behind linking geological heritage and local food systems in geoparks.
🔗 https://eurogeologists.eu/efg-webinar-geofood-connection-between-geology-and-food/
GEOfood – Academic Research Output
Author: Sara Gentilini
Institutional repository: University of Turin
Academic documentation describing the GEOfood concept and its research development within geoparks and sustainable territorial development.
🔗 https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1832416
Evaluating the Gastronomy-Related Contents of the Websites of UNESCO Global Geoparks in Europe
Authors: Nihat Çeşmeci, Gözde Çulfacı, Reha Kılıçhan
Journal: Tourism and Recreation, 2024
This research analyzes how UNESCO Global Geoparks present gastronomy, local food, and the GEOfood concept on their official websites. The study shows how geoparks increasingly promote local food together with geological heritage to strengthen geotourism, sustainable development, and regional identity.
📄 Download the article:
https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/3793527