The final event of the three-year long program “Little Treasures of Europe” took place in Athens on Monday, the 29th of May 2023, with great success.
The PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) & PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) products by Greek co-ops that participate in NEA PASEGES’S (Greek Confederation of Unions of Agricultural Cooperatives) program, “Little Treasures of Europe”, were hosted at the event room of Balthazar Bar-Restaurant.
The event was attended by established professionals of the food industry, journalists, food bloggers and influencers. They were all invited for a special event with emphasis on the following products: PDO feta cheese, PDO graviera cheese from Naxos and Crete, PDO xynomyzithra from Crete, PDO olive oil of Mylopotamos and Siteia from the Lasithi regional unit of Crete, PDO olive oil from Kalamata, Corinthian raisins Vostitsa, PGI potato from Naxos, PDO Assyrtiko wine, PDO fava (yellow split peas) and PDO tomataki (cherry tomatoes) from Santorini and last but not least, PDO Agiorgitiko wine from Nemea.
The event provided the guests with the opportunity to learn about the unique qualities of these ingredients, as well as the diversity they can offer to the creation of tasty dishes. The press conference was followed by a tasting at the restaurant’s garden, with the menu having been designed around the program’s PDO & PGI products.
The event was introduced by Ms. Christiana Kalogirou, General Secretary of the Hellenic Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food. Ms. Kalogirou emphasized the development of the concept of co-ops, as well as the values they promote. She also discussed PDO & PGI products and how their production methods, and particular cultivation conditions, majorly contribute to the upgrade and development of the primary agricultural sector.
Mr. Satolias, president of the NEA PASEGES, and Mr. Kapounis, president of EAS Naxou, proudly spoke of the traditional methods of production of high-quality products that honour the Greek gastronomical heritage. They also discussed the nutritional value connected to each and every one of these products, as well as the unique qualities they can offer to our everyday meals. The co-ops’ representatives were very thankful for everyone that attended this educational event, which gave the guests the opportunity to get to know the traditional Greek PDO & PGI products better. Their goal is to keep providing Greece, and abroad, with high-quality products for many years to come.
THE BENEFITS OF PDO & PGI PRODUCTS:
- Preservation of Cultural Heritage: PDO & PGI products reflect the cultural and traditional practices of specific areas, thus continuing the local heritage and knowledge.
- Assurance of Quality and Authenticity: The protection provided by PDO & PGI products ensures consumers that the products they are purchasing are authenticated and of specific standards, based on their geographic origin.
- Promotion of Agricultural Development: PDO & PGI labels can help the local economies and agricultural development, by supporting traditional farming methods and boosting tourism.
- Differentiation of Marketplace: PDO & PGI labels create unique selling points for the producers by differentiating their products and providing them with a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
- Consumer Trust: The badges on the PDO & PGI labels allow consumers to make informed choices about products based on their status and quality. This helps reinforce their faith in the products they are purchasing.
All in all, the last press conference was very successful and created a lot of interest in PDO & PGI products, as well as their methods of production.
The promotional program “Little Treasures of Europe”, with the support of the European Union and the stamp “Enjoy it’s from Europe”, gives us a chance to get to know the PDO & PGI products better, and learn more about the co-op producers of Greece. More specifically, NEA PASEGES aims to spread awareness for the institution of co-ops and the development of the concept of co-ops.
You can find out more about the program, the products and the producers on the Website, Facebook and Instagram.
