In the Marche region, there are six agri-food products that boast the DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) label: Casciotta d’Urbino, Prosciutto di Carpegna, Cartoceto extra virgin olive oil, Oliva Ascolana del Piceno, Sogliano’s Fossa Cheese, and the ubiquitous Italian Salamini alla Cacciatora. The recognition of the DOP designation for an agri-food product represents the highest level of quality, as it establishes an indissoluble link between the intrinsic characteristics of the product itself and the geographical environment, including the natural and human factors, in which it is obtained.

Products with the IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) designation share with the DOP products a control system, based on the verification of compliance with production specifications by independent bodies, guaranteeing quality for the consumer. IGP products also have a strong link with the environment but have fewer geographical constraints, as the specifications do not require that all stages of the production process necessarily take place in the reference area.

The agri-food products with the IGP mark from the Marche include Central Apennines white veal, Maccheroncini di Campofilone, Central Italy lamb, Colfiorito red potatoes, Marche PGI Olive oil, and Ciauscolo, in addition to Mortadella di Bologna and Castelluccio di Norcia lentils, which, even if not as a historical zone, can be produced in the region’s territory.

The Marche also has 154 traditional products, some of which are very well-known even if they do not have a specific designation. Some of these include the Sibillini Mountains’ pink apples, Pecorino dei Monti Sibillini, Cicerchia di Serra de’ Conti, Salame di Fabriano, Montelupone artichoke, and Lonzino di fico. Other typical products, such as the wild Mosciolo di Portonovo, Castignano green anise, Laverino bean, and Fratte Rosa broad bean, are the focus of various “presidia” established by the Slow Food Association, for the protection and economic development of niche productions in the Marche region.