Press Release
The certification Terra Vita – Agricultural Tradition & Biodiversity travels to Cyprus in November 10-12, for its first participation in the 21st HORECA-GASTRONOMIA EXPO 2023, the largest professional exhibition for the Food and Tourism Industry on the island since 1995.
Terra Vita certified products from Lemnos (melichloro/melipasto, kalathaki, rusks, flour and flomaria) and olive oil from Kythera will be introduced to Cyprus’ agri-food and tourism professionals.
MedINA developed the Terra Vita certification system aiming to preserve and promote the valuable agri-food heritage of Lemnos and Kythera as a compass for sustainable development and innovation. The Terra Vita certification is unique, as it refers to food produced in Greece using traditional agricultural management methods that benefit biodiversity and the landscape, while promoting the local gastronomic identity of each place.
“The participation of Terra Vita certification in such a major agri-food event is an important step for our organisation but also for the certified producers. This is just the beginning, as we are preparing a series of actions to promote the certification and the certified products, while working on new value chains and ideas for expansion”, stressed among others, Rigas Zafeiriou, sustainable agri-food systems coordinator at MedINA, and Danae Sfakianou, agronomist, Terra VIta certification manager.
Products of the companies Poriazi, Hrysafi and Stafyli, the Agricultural Cooperative of Livadi in Kythera and all collaborating producers, will participate in the 21st HORECA-GASTRONOMIA EXPO 2023 with the Terra Vita certification.
The promotion of the Terra Vita certification and the certified products is supported by the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, in the framework of the project “Terra Graeca: Small Farm to Market”.
More info and links:
The “Terra Graeca: Small Farm to Market” project aims to empower farmers on Lemnos and Kythera in multiple ways and to foster the sustainable development of the islands’ food systems. Supported by the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, we envision local communities thriving in productive and healthy agro-ecosystems full of life! More information: MedINA website
The “Terra Kytheria – Sustainable Agriculture in Kythera” project aims to support olive growers and promote Kytherian olive oil. It is based on a farming and certification system, which is adapted to local practices and conserves the biodiversity and traditional agricultural landscapes of the island. The project is implemented by the Kytherian Foundation for Culture & Development (KIPA) and the Mediterranean Institute for Nature and Anthropos (MedINA) in collaboration with the Agricultural Olive Growers’ Cooperative of Potamos, the Agricultural Cooperative of Livadi and the University of the Aegean. More information: MedINA website, KIPA website, Terra Lemnia website
The Terra Vita – Agricultural Tradition and Biodiversity certification applies to food produced in Greece using traditional agricultural management methods that benefit biodiversity and the landscape, while promoting the local identity of each place. More information: Terra Vite website
