Food consumption and civil society: Mediterranean diet as a sustainable resource for the Mediterranean area.

OBJECTIVE To define the Mediterranean diet model inside a Mediterranean social and cultural food framework and from the perspective of a local model of consumption. DESIGN Reflexion and review of literature available in relation to the Mediterranean diet, locality and proximity. SETTING AND SUBJECTS Mediterranean region and its populations. RESULTS The Mediterranean local food system under the term Mediterranean diet encourages local production and local consumption. From this perspective, this model takes part of every local Mediterranean lifestyles and encourages sustainability. CONCLUSIONS From a local Mediterranean point of view and as a proximity model of consumption, Mediterranean food and diet can be a sustainable resource for the Mediterranean area.