Umibi and the design of the lunch break

During Milano Design Week, attention is focused on projects, events, installations, and new design languages. Much less often on those who, in practice, make everything possible. It is precisely this community—technicians, installers, creatives, and organizational staff—that the collaboration between Fuorisalone and Umibi is addressing. Umibi, an Italian startup active in B2B food delivery, takes on the role of Official Food Partner for the 2026 edition. The project was created with a clear goal: to respond concretely to the operational needs of those working during the busiest week of the year, introducing a service designed to improve timing, access, and the quality of the lunch break.

On the occasion of Milano Design Week 2026, Umibi is launching a dedicated program for Fuorisalone workers. Through a subscription valid for the duration of the event, participants can receive tasty, healthy, and balanced meals delivered directly to showrooms and event locations, reducing waiting times and the need to travel. The lunch boxes are designed to support intense working days, with particular attention to nutritional quality, digestibility, and protein content. At the same time, delivery logistics are managed through electric micromobility solutions, ensuring efficiency while reducing urban impact.

At the core of the project is an integrated operational model that controls the entire supply chain—from raw material selection to final delivery—also thanks to an entrepreneurial network with over 40 years of experience in the distribution and logistics of seafood products. This approach combines quality, efficiency, and sustainability, and finds in Milano Design Week an ideal context to experiment with new services dedicated to the professional world.

To learn more, we spoke with Matilde Fiorotto, Founder and CEO of Umibi.


©Umibi

How was Umibi founded, and what sets you apart in the food delivery landscape?
Umibi was founded in the Veneto region as a company specializing in the distribution of seafood products, primarily for large-scale retail. Thanks to my family’s long-standing experience in the sector and a solid organizational structure, we decided to expand into the corporate lunch break segment. Today, we position ourselves as allies of the workforce, offering healthy, tasty, and balanced meals delivered directly to the office, because we believe that food quality can truly support the energy and creativity of those who work.

What is your approach to preparing your dishes?
Our dishes are prepared by qualified staff, with an approach that prioritizes manual preparation, much like in a real restaurant kitchen. Every step is handled with great attention to detail: from selecting raw ingredients to their processing, all the way to final presentation. For us, freshness and ingredient quality are essential, as are precision and artisanal care—these are the core values of our cuisine.

How did the partnership with Fuorisalone come about?
The partnership emerged during the development of Umibi, particularly while working on brand positioning and project identity, developed together with Alma Studio. From the very beginning, it became clear that a context like Fuorisalone was highly aligned with our company’s values: attention to design, sustainability, and care for the everyday experience.
It therefore felt natural to envision a presence during Milano Design Week, within an international setting capable of bringing together creativity, work, and new ways of experiencing even the lunch break.


©Umibi

What values do you aim to convey with Umibi?
We are built on three fundamental pillars: quality, well-being, and sustainability. Every meal should be a moment of care—for those who consume it and for those who produce it—with attention to the environment, nutrition, and taste. We aim to transform every lunch break into an experience that nourishes the body and inspires the mind.

Future projects and developments?
Umibi will continue to develop the connection between food and everyday well-being, expanding its offering with increasingly personalized solutions, but above all strengthening a broader vision: promoting a culture of the lunch break as a gesture of care, balance, and quality of life. The goal is not only to meet the needs of high-intensity work environments or large professional events, but also to bring this approach into educational settings such as universities, where we believe it is important to promote awareness of well-being and mindful breaks from an early stage. For us at Umibi, enhancing the lunch moment means contributing to shaping the workers of tomorrow through small daily rituals of self-care, with an approach that is sustainable, healthy, and enjoyable.