01/2014
To support local farmers, the Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food has launched a registration and support scheme for the cottage industry. It is accompanied with food safety and processing controls. Since 2014, the Hellenic Food Authority and relevant services of Regional Units can implement official controls and tailored services for food businesses of the cottage industry.
Contact details
E-mail : mkaravangeli@efet.gr
Website : http://portal.efet.gr/portal/page/portal/efet
Thessaloniki Metropolitan Area and all over Greece, Greece
Stakeholders
∙ Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food
∙ Hellenic Food Authority and Single Food Control Agency (EFET)
∙ Services of Regional Units and Municipalities
∙ Local farmers
Objectives
∙ Exploiting the production and increasing the added value of local farmers through processing
∙ Increasing farmers’ income and fighting unemployment at family level
∙ Promoting agricultural products and introducing consumers to local tastes
∙ Preserving local varieties and traditional food processing methods
Legal framework & Budget
The registration process enables farmers to sell processed food products and thereby develop their activity for commercial purpose. This initiative is based on Greek Law 4235/2014, as amended by the 46th Article of the Greek Law 4384/2016, as well as on the Ministerial Decision 4912/120862/05.11.2015, as amended by the Ministerial Decision 345/23924/16.03.2017.Activities
After successful registration in a specific registry, farmers are assigned a dedicated space within a cottage where processing can take place, adding more value to their fresh agricultural products. The products are then sold on local markets, increasing their visibility. This marketing system invites consumers to support local artisanal food businesses and to discover or rediscover local varieties and tastes.>Innovation & Outcomes
This initiative was the first of its kind in Greece. Local authorities support the local food system through collaboration with farmers for their registration and sanitary controls of food production. This initiative also supports farmers’ families through the involvement of other family members in processing and selling activities. Finally, it has a positive impact on the environment as it contributes to land management for the cultivation of fruits and vegetables that more suitable for processing.0
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Main obstacles & Next steps
The main obstacle was to overcome the barrier for entrepreneurs and farmers in peri-urban areas to be authorized to sell their products to local consumers. The current experimentation shows positive results. The structuring of the local cottage industry through top-down public support led farmers to increase their business, to have a wider consumer base and to strengthen community bonds in their region.More on :
http://portal.efet.gr/portal/page/portal/efet
