“Good as bread” — the saying still rings true in Italy, where two out of three people have bread on the table every day, according to a new study marking World Bread Day on October 16. A symbol of nourishment and sharing, bread remains central to the Mediterranean diet, even though Italians now rank among Europe’s lowest consumers, averaging 41 kilograms per year, compared to 74 in Romania.
A survey by Too Good To Go and Appinio found that 66% of Italians eat bread daily, mostly alongside main dishes or for the beloved scarpetta — the act of soaking up sauce with bread. Three out of four consume more than half a kilo per week, with higher figures in southern regions.
Favorites include ciabatta, pagnotta, and baguette-style loaves, but food waste remains a concern: on average, each person throws away one roll a week.