UM and Malta Food Agency join forces on Harbour Food Heritage Project

The University of Malta and the Malta Food Agency have agreed to collaborate on an innovative project exploring food, history, and maritime heritage within the Grand Harbour.

Led by the Department of Tourism Management within the Faculty of Economics, Management & Accountancy, the initiative seeks to uncover and develop food-related narratives that are intrinsically tied to the harbour. While much of Malta’s cultural interpretation has traditionally focused on land-based histories, this project shifts attention to the harbour itself as a dynamic and often overlooked source of storytelling.

The research will delve into compelling historical accounts, including the smuggling of grain under the cover of darkness and the recovery of sunken food supplies during times of scarcity. These narratives aim to highlight how food is not only connected to land, but also deeply embedded in maritime activity and survival.

Dr Noel Buttigieg, Head of the Department of Tourism Management, explained that the project seeks to frame food as a lens through which to interpret the Grand Harbour’s past. “Food is always tied to land and water. This project focuses on narratives associated with the harbour, exploring what happened, where, and how food-related stories unfolded in connection with water,” he noted.

The initiative will be carried out in collaboration with the Malta Food Agency and the Malta Tourism Authority, with a strong emphasis on research and industry application. The project will involve data collection from quality tourists, the training of two specialised guides, and the publication of a book compiling these narratives for use within the tourism sector.

By developing these stories into tangible tourism products, the project aims to enrich Malta’s cultural offering and contribute to ongoing national investment in the Grand Harbour area.

The MoU was signed by Prof. Frank Bezzina, Pro-Rector of the University of Malta, and Mr Brian Vella, CEO of the Malta Food Agency. Also present for the signing were Mr Justin John Camilleri and Dr Noel Buttigieg.

This collaboration marks a step forward in strengthening the partnership between academia and industry, highlighting food heritage as an important key in Malta’s tourism experience.