Cultural biodiversity unpacked, separating discourse from practice

Abstract In this article, we question to what extent origin-food labels, namely Geographical Indications (GIs) and Slow Food Presidia, may effectively account for cultural biodiversity (CB). Building on Foucault’s discourse theory, how the movement GI promoters have developed their own practice CB, these discourses contrast, they inform projects. Focusing practices cultivate microbiological life of three origin labeled cheeses (from France Italy), revealed gap between institutional happens ground. We argue that actors’ relationships in marketplace unfold, from public authorities collectives producers consumers, threaten effects experiences alternative food productions defense biodiversity, causing, instance, loss diversity invisible microbial ecosystems artisan raw milk cheese. However, conclude that, despite limitations, mediatized narrative CB can amplify political voice local actors by fostering community social farmers.