In 2009 the Italian Association for Organic Agriculture (AIAB) launched the first bio-district in Italy. A bio-district is a geographical area where farmers, citizens, tourist operators, associations and public authorities enter into an agreement for the sustainable management of local resources, based on organic principles and practices, aiming at the fulfilment of the economic and sociocultural potential of the territory. They act according to the principles and methods of the organic production and agro-ecology. Each Biodistrict is marked by lifestyle, nutrition, human relations and nature. It results that agricultural productions are more valuable and typically characterized, hence more appreciated by the market.

To date there are 27 bio-districts running in Italy spread among 18 regions and other 21 are in the process of being formed in 15 regions.