Excellent Greek Organic Farmers

Denis MiKelatos

Denis Mikelatos has been growing the prized Kalamon olive on his family’s farm since 1972. He was certified as an organic grower in 2010. Why make such a change? “We want to produce agricultural products without any chemical infestation,” Michelatos says. The conversion has required a shift in emphasis away from quantity and toward quality, he says.

“The main problem is dealing with the low quantities of the olives during cultivation,” Michelatos notes. “People often confuse growing more crops with making more food available to the world. They’re not the same thing. Organic products offer more nutrients and vitamins to food.”

Denis Michelatos's farm is in Astakos, County of Aitoloakarnania. 

Stathis Xenos

Stathis Xenos, a farmer since 1985, converted to organic agriculture in 2016. He produces Capia sweet red peppers, and finds that plants that are cultivated and grown organically “contain less water and more nutrients and vitamins.”

Stathis says he’s proud of his conversion to organic farming and sees a potential economic payback for his farm, which employs about 15 people. “The physical methods used for organic farming do not pollute the water resources and do not kill the beneficial insects,” he notes. “The market for organic products in Greece will have prospects if there is an increase in the supply at a reasonable price as well as of point of sales.”

Stathis Xenos's farm is in Skourochori, Ilia.

Theodoros Skylakakis
Novel Tradition Foods

Novel Tradition Foods PC is an Athens-based company, founded in 2015 by Theodoros Skylakakis. Novel Tradition specializes in the production and marketing of sea fennel products which until recently was found only in the wild along rocky coastlines.

The Skylakakis family have their own farm in Ilia, and also buy sea fennel from Christos Karapanos, a company partner whose farm on the island of Zakynthos was certified organic in 2016.

“Our intention is to turn sea fennel from a forgotten gourmet ingredient into a rediscovered heritage super food in the Greek and international markets,”

Christos Karapanos adds that “Because sea fennel has no natural predators, and is a gourmet product with significant health benefits, only organic cultivation makes real sense‘’. The biggest problem is weed control, which the team confronts with fabric and, three to four times a year, by hand.

Novel Tradition Foods sees its effort to bring an ancient health food to new markets as part of agriculture’s proper future -- increasing the productivity of land and the health of consumers, without damaging the environment.

The Skylakakis family farm is in Agia Marina, Ilia.

 Christos Karapanos's farm is in Kalamaki, Zakinthos.

MANOLIS STEFANAKIS

Manolis Stefanakis combines his scientific knowledge with a heritage of three generations of bee-keeping traditions near Heraklion, Crete. By connecting the unique microclimates of different Cretan areas with the organoleptic & biochemical characteristics of honey, Stefanakis has produced a true wellness treasure.

His vision in his own words: "My vision is to create exceptional Cretan products, maintaining high quality standards and using 100% natural, non processed ingredients. I strongly believe, and would like to promote further, the benefits of Greek nutrition for wellbeing and wellness!"