Street Food: A Tool for Promoting Tradition, Territory, and Tourism

Abstract

Around 2.5 billion people worldwide consume street food every day, thanks to it being low cost, easily available, and convenient. Street food also has high socioeconomic value, as it fosters preservation of the local cultural and food heritage, resulting in increased benefits from tourism and strengthened links with the territory. Two street food operators were reviewed, using the Business Model Canvas (BMC), to investigate street food in Italy and draw public attention to the current situation, highlighting what is needed to counteract flattening of flavors, to promote tourism and safeguard local identity. This initial study aims to identify the unique aspects of the street food business and to describe its close links to its surroundings.