A manifesto for the valorization of wild edible plants.
BACKGROUND
Wild foods constitute an essential component of people's diets around the world, but despite their widespread use and their cultural importance, wild edible plants (WEPs) lack recognition as significant contributors to the human diet in developed countries.


METHODS
We stimulate national and international bodies dealing with food and agriculture, to increase their attention and investments on WEPs, leveraging the results of scientific investigation, enhancing the link between in situ conservation strategies and sustainable use of plant genetic diversity.


CONCLUSIONS
WEPs should be reconsidered throughout their value chain, capturing their important socio-cultural, health, and economic benefits to indigenous and local communities and family farmers who are engaged in their production and wild-harvesting.
ENEA BIOAG-PROBIO, Rome, Italy.
Loretta
L
Bacchetta
Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Italy; IMDEA-Food, CEI UAM+CSIC, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: francesco.visioli@unipd.it.
Francesco
F
Visioli
Institute Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Monterotondo, RM, Italy.
Giulia
G
Cappelli
Global Diversity Foundation, UK.
Emily
E
Caruso
Global Diversity Foundation, UK.
Gary
G
Martin
Szent István University Budapest, Hungary.
Eva
E
Nemeth
University of Cagliari, Italy.
Gianni
G
Bacchetta
University of Pisa, Italy.
Gianni
G
Bedini
ISARA-Lyon, France.
Alexander
A
Wezel
IEZ Ltd., Beek, The Netherlands.
Tedje
T
van Asseldonk
SDLO, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Leo
L
van Raamsdonk
Institute Cell Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council, Monterotondo, RM, Italy.
Francesca
F
Mariani
ENEA BIOAG-PROBIO, Rome, Italy.
On Behalf Of The Eatwild Consortium
D044822:Biodiversity; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000145:classification* / Q000191:economics / Q000235:genetics; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology; D019448:Ethnobotany; D005523:Food Supply; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D010945:Plants, Edible / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
Biodiversity; Ethnobotany; Ethnomedicine; Mediterranean diet; Sustainable agriculture; Traditional food; Wild edible plants