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The reckoning is here. Forget commercial failure; this is a systemic crisis. The $2 billion verdict against Bayer over glyphosate, and the likely US market withdrawal, proves it. As Andrea Rasca has long argued, the global broken food system demands immediate, and clear attention. What is glyphosate ? It’s the world’s most widely used herbicide, famously the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup. Bayer acquired the liability when it purchased Monsanto in 2018. The contr

We love the humble sesame seed for its gorgeous, nutty depth. It gives structure to a classic Middle Eastern hummus and adds a delicate finish to Japanese goma-ae. But the humble sesame is far more than just flavour. When we look closely at this tiny grain—whether in its rich tahini form or its fragrant paste—we discover a beautiful link between ancient culinary wisdom and modern biochemistry. Food must nourish the palate and the body, and this seed is a true nutritional phe

When our Founder, Andrea Rasca, first created the original Mercato Metropolitano in Milan, his vision was not just a regenerative community market, but a movement rooted in the profound belief that food is a catalyst for urban regeneration. Andrea’s conviction is that the revitalisation of our cities must come from within—powerfully echoed in books like Ryan Gravel’s Where We Want to Live , which speaks to reclaiming our right to shape the places where we live. The Vision: Re

Stop. Look at your plate. The science is undeniable: our global food system is fundamentally broken. The new EAT–Lancet Commission  report lays bare the brutal truth: what we eat, and how we produce it, is the single biggest driver of environmental collapse.  At the exact same time, this broken system denies half the world a healthy diet. This is a failure to uphold the most basic human rights—the right to food, to health, and to dignity. Andrea Rasca , Founder of Movimento

The remarkable rise of the Kodomo Shokudo offers a powerful blueprint for how food is the single strongest lever to strengthen our societies. These are grassroots hubs forging profound intergenerational connections and restoring the joy of eating together—values we at Movimento Metropolitano hold dear. More Than Just a Meal: A Community Hearth In a world where eating alone, or 'bocchigohan', is increasingly a social concern, the Kodomo Shokudo provides a vital, warm connect

In 2025, the ‘organic’ label is a pivotal point in a complex conversation, spanning the UK and the wider European Union (EU). For decades, the standard meant a clear commitment: no artificial inputs, high animal welfare, and respect for natural cycles. The EU Organic Regulation , along with the retained UK standard, legally guarantee a verified production system and traceable supply chains. Yet, consumer perception often defaults to the vague idea of 'natural' and ‘healthier

A major change to UK food regulation is underway. It aims to remove specific labelling and strict oversight from a new generation of...

Matcha has moved from Japanese tradition to a ubiquitous global wellness staple. But what happens when intense popularity stretches this niche product too thin? When demand exceeds a supply, the quality breaks. So can the powder’s nutritional substance withstand the marketing feeding frenzy? The unique case for matcha is pragmatic and scientific—unlike steeped tea, you consume the entire shaded leaf. This key difference naturally concentrates the essential compounds. Expert

We all know the four basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. For centuries, these have been the pillars of our culinary understanding. But there’s a fifth, and deeper flavour that brings a sense of rich, savoury satisfaction. That taste is umami . Umami was first identified over a century ago by a Japanese chemist named Kikunae Ikeda. He discovered that the unique, savoury flavour he found in traditional kombu (kelp) broth was due to a compound called glutamate. He name

Forgetting the common misconceptions about vegan dining in Japan, we find a truly extraordinary food culture that has blossomed for centuries. Shojin ryori is a testament to the harmony between nature and human creativity. Shojin ryori is a food philosophy, a deeply spiritual practice that brings us closer to the ingredients themselves. Crafted from vegetables, beans, seaweed, and grains, this cuisine contains no animal products whatsoever. As a tradition of Zen Buddhist mon

Long before superfoods were trending, our ancestors from the Fertile Crescent to ancient Egypt and the vibrant kitchens of the Maghreb knew something far more fundamental. Simple, humble pulses like lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas sustained entire civilisations. Their journey from ancient ritual to a modern staple isn't a new story, but a timeless reconnection with what has always worked. There’s no trade-off on quality for convenience. Pulses are a testament to how simp

The return to work and school is a jarring transition. After the inertia of a summer break, it can feel as if your mind and body have to readjust to new demands. And all the good intentions in the world won't get you through the day without the right food . What does an effective nutritional strategy look like? Well, you could think of this list as non-negotiable: Complex Carbohydrates: your brain runs on a steady supply of glucose. Choose whole grains, pulses, and vegetable

There's a trade-off we make every day without much thought. We've bought into a world where fruit from distant lands sits polished and perfect, a symbol of modern convenience—but at what cost? The food - the vitamins, minerals and life force - is exposed to light and heat on its long journey. By the time it reaches us, it’s a shadow of what it once was. This is due to nutrient degradation, a process like oxidation that strips produce of its vital compounds the longer it's e

It's quite fascinating how quickly things can change. From the high street to the supermarket, one single nutrient has been made out to be the answer to all our problems. Protein has become a pervasive trend, marketed as a solution for everything from our snacks to our coffee. This obsession is creating a dangerous oversimplification of nutrition, skimming over the importance of other vital dietary elements . Whilst medical experts are flagging a widespread fibre deficiency

The food on our plates is a central part of our lives, yet what's actually in it is often a matter of public concern. In an article earlier this year, ' Have We lost Sight of What True Health Looks Like? ', our founder, Andrea Rasca highlighted the importance of this very issue, which is at the heart of our Movimento Metropolitano (MoM) ethos. The topic of ultra-processed foods ( UPFs ) has become a key part of this conversation. A more recent interview with New York Unive

For too long, we've been told choosing food is about convenience. Grab it, go, and get on with your day. But we know better. What you put on your plate is a political and cultural act—a vote for the world you want to live in. So, what's the real state of play? Ultra-processed food makes up more than half the daily calories in the average UK diet, an alarming statistic. This silent epidemic of convenience has detached us from real food, real people, and real communities. The

There's a kind of knowing that comes from the heart of a good, honest meal. It's the smell of fresh bread from the oven, the taste of a vegetable pulled straight from the soil , still with a bit of earth clinging to it. That's where you find the true meaning of freedom, not in some grand, empty promise, but in the small, steadfast things of life. Ever since 2015, when Movimento Metropolitano (MoM ) was born, our work hasn’t been about profit for its own sake, but about reg

It's often said that travel is a feast for the senses, but what if the truest feast lies not in exotic flavours but in the quiet moments between them? In Japan, a meal doesn't just appear on the table; it arrives with a deep sense of honour, framed by the gentle words itadakimasu . Meaning ‘I humbly receive’, it’s a blessing not just for the food but for the life and effort that went into it: the farmer, the fish, the cook, and the earth . This gesture is a humble bow to the

The recently launched ' Good Food Cycle ' paper presents an ambitious vision for a healthier, more sustainable, and economically robust UK food system. The focus on British pride and economic growth is laudable, but the plan reads like it was drafted in a Whitehall meeting room, far from the fields, markets, and community kitchens that keep the nation truly fed. Top-Down Ambitions, Grassroots Realities The strategy leans heavily on national supply chains and big industry pla

At the heart of  this conversation with Andrea Rasca , he shares his unique perspective on the future of food and the driving forces...