The island of Sant’Erasmo is a marine countryside, a village of a few hundred people who are basically farmers. When we talk about the vegetable gardens of the lagoon we do not fully grasp the richness of a unique landscape. Its crops were the main food source for the past densely populated Venice. In order to be able to offer its guests healthy products from the lagoon lands, to promote the richness of the territory and to create jobs, in 2021 Cesare Benelli, an enlightened Venetian restaurateur, owner of Il Covo, created together with a group of restaurateurs belonging to the Associazione Ristoranti della Buona Accoglienza and some caterers the association “Osti in Orto” (“Innkeepers in the orchard”).

The result is a table full of products grown with a sustainable agriculture at zero km without pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, according to the principles of sustainable agriculture. Two enthusiastic young people are the main protagonists of this initiative. Their amazing love for a difficult and uncomfortable job is rewarded by the boundless beauty of this island.