Food and the Sicilian mafia

The Food Programme

BBC

Arts, Food

4.4 • 943 Ratings

🗓️ 12 April 2011

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Sheila Dillon looks at the role of food producers and farmers in combating the Sicilian mafia.

The Sicilian "Cosa Nostra" emerged around the citrus groves of Palermo in the 19th century as control of farming and food production fell into the hands of estate managers and middle men.

From that time the influence of the mafia over food production and distribution on the island has been extensive.

In recent decades the work of investigators like Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino did much to lessen the power of the mafia but its involvement in the food business continues to this day.

Now, a new generation of entrepreneurs and anti-mafia campaigners are using food to send a message around the world that Sicily is breaking away from that past.

Producer Dan Saladino.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	You don't need us to tell you there's a general election coming.
0:04.6	So what does it mean for you?
0:06.4	Every day on newscast we dissect the big talking points,
0:10.1	the ones that you want to know more about.
0:12.3	With our book of contacts, we talk directly to the people you want to hear from.
0:16.8	And with help from some of the best BBC journalists,
0:19.4	we'll untangle the stories that matter to you.
0:23.0	Join me, Laura Kunsberg, Adam Fleming, Chris Mason and Patty O'Connell for our daily podcast.
0:29.0	Newscast, listen on BBC Sounds.
0:32.0	Hello, I'm Sheila Dylan and welcome to this BBC download of the Food Program.
0:39.0	For information on the BBC's terms and conditions of use,
0:42.0	visit W.W. dot BBC. the BBC's terms and conditions of use, visit
0:42.8	W.W. dot B.co. UK slash radio for.
0:49.0	And now enjoy the podcast. the so-called boss of two worlds and demand.
0:55.0	The voice of Tumasso Bouchetta, the so-called Boss of Two Worlds, and probably the most important
1:05.4	pentito, informant, to reveal the secret internal workings and culture of the Sicilian
1:11.5	mafia, Kosa Nostra.
1:14.2	Bouchetta gave evidence from a state-built bunker in the 1980s, but the effect of his
1:19.5	broadcast testimony lives on, still exerting an influence on Sicilian life and Sicily's future.
1:26.2	It's a story we're telling today through food, because it's food and farming and terrible
1:32.3	poverty that nurtured the mafia.
1:35.6	Agriculture was its lifeblood, but now food businesses are on the front line in the fight
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from BBC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of BBC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.