Porta Palazzo, arguably Western Europe's largest open-air market, is a
central economic, social, and cultural hub for Italians and migrants in
the city of Turin. Open-air markets like Porta Palazzo have existed for
centuries in Europe; although their function has changed over
time--traditional markets are no longer the primary place to buy
food--they remain popular destinations. In an age of supermarkets and
online commerce, markets offer unique social and cultural opportunities
and bring together urban and rural worldviews. These factors are often
overlooked in traditional economic studies of food distribution, but
anthropologist Rachel E. Black contends that social relations are
essential for building and maintaining valuable links between production
and consumption.
From the history of Porta Palazzo to the current growing pains of the
market, this book concentrates on points where trade meets cultural
identities and cuisine. Its detailed and perceptive portraits of the
market bring into relief the lives of the vendors, shoppers, and
passersby. Black's ethnography illuminates the daily work of
market-going and the anxieties of shoppers as they navigate the market.
It examines migration, the link between cuisine and cultural identity,
culinary tourism, the connection between the farmers' market and the
production of local food, and the urban planning issues negotiated by
the city of Turin and market users during a recent renovation. This
vibrant study, featuring a foreword by Slow Food Movement founder Carlo
Petrini, makes a strong case for why markets like Porta Palazzo are
critical for fostering culinary culture and social life in cities.
