Garda Fishermen’s Cooperative Opens New HQ, Boosting Fish Market
Among the key participants of the Christmas amid olive trees, a prominent place goes to the Cooperativa di pescatori. Not only because it has a sales outlet in the small market at the municipal square, but also because on various occasions, the fishermen themselves will animate the gastronomic stand set up along the lakeside promenade.
Furthermore, December 2000 marks a turning point in the history of this entity that unites the «lupi di lago»: the Cooperative opened its new headquarters in mid-December at the former slaughterhouse and began processing the catch.
This fulfills, after more than seventy years, the dream of the renowned Gardesano ichthyologist Floreste Malfer. A crucial milestone. And professional fishing on Lake Garda finally sees new, solid prospects opening up.
Redevelopment of the Old Slaughterhouse
The old slaughterhouse in via San Bernardo was transferred to the Cooperative three years ago by the Municipality for 165 million lire. It dates back to the 1940s. The goal was to convert it into a headquarters compliant with new health regulations.
The works are now completed: outside, there are refrigerated cells; on the ground floor, the processing, smoking, and vacuum chamber; upstairs, offices and a meeting room.
All of this has cost around seventymillion lire, a considerable amount for professional fishermen from Garda, led with passion and managerial skill by Enrico Mario Monese, the president, and by Beppino Monese, who serves as vice president.
Production Potential and Market
The new headquarters is not particularly large (eighty square meters), but it is still fully sufficient to meet the needs of the Cooperative.
However, the Cooperative of fishermen, with this new facility, could take a significant step forward also from a production standpoint.
«There is demand for fish», says Director Sergio Vernesoni, «but consumers want it filleted and perhaps vacuum-packed, ready for cooking». And it is to this market demand that Garda aims to respond.
The initial experiments involved smoking and vacuum packaging of coregonus, eels, tenches, and sardines: those interested can purchase them at the via Antiche Mura shop or at the Christmas market.
Activities During Christmas amid Olive Trees
During the Christmas amid olive trees, the Cooperative will also be a protagonist in the tent-restaurant: it will offer lake fish dishes on December 22nd, 23rd, and 29th, and then again on January 5th.
Meanwhile, the attention to the activity of Garda’s professional fishermen is growing, so much so that Slow Food has highlighted the Garda Cooperative in «Il buon paese», the new guide to Italian quality productions.
Angelo Peretti