New trend: Athenians cultivate their own food in farms
Farm-to table is slowly becoming not just a trend but a serious lifestyle choice for Athenians, greekcitytimes.com reports in the following article:
Farma Moo offers a well-organised, enjoyable and upbeat way of reaping the benefits of seasonal, pesticide-free produce at home, while also discovering the art of farming in a hands-on way.
Athenians staying in flats with tiny balconies where only a handful of geraniums grow can now become active farmers growing their own bio food. That’s all thanks to Farma Moo, located in Nea Makri in eastern Attica, in a 40,000 square metre natural landscape. The farm is in an idyllic spot, surrounded by mountains and near a river, and is home to a lively family of animals – rabbits and peacocks, Shetland ponies and sheep adopted from Cameroon, geese, chickens of all races, a horse and a donkey. For a mere 150 euros for a 6-month season of produce, members can rent a 30 metre square plot and plant fruit, veggies and herbs of their choice.
“We carefully tend our member’s plots but encourage them to come here themselves to cultivate their land and gather their own produce, so that they can enjoy having contact with nature,” notes Eleni Apergi. “We can advise them on how to farm their produce and they are free to use whatever farming methods they choose, such as Biodynamic farming for example – as long as it’s organic. We don’t use any kind of pesticides or chemical fertilisers,” Apergi underlines, “and have brought a variety of insects that help the farming process. We also don’t slaughter any of or animals, we allow them to age gracefully and happily!”
Together with three friends, Angelike Vassiliadis, Angelos Boukis and Michalis Kanalis, Apergi dreamed up Farma Moo a few years ago mainly because of their own desire for a more natural, ecological and tranquil way of life, that they soon decided to share with the wider public. “Our farm is like a small village,” she says, “where people can come and pick their produce, go for hikes on the mountains or to the nearby Rapedosas dam, where there’s a lake and beautiful waterfalls to bathe in during summer, and participate in nature-based activities. Workshops are organised to inspire kids to learn about nature first-hand via theatre, creative play and storytelling, and school groups have started visiting the farm too. Kids can also play on our wooden swings, ride Shetland ponies and help feed the animals.”
Meanwhile the farm also grows some of its own food products, using their home-grown produce – jams, spoon sweets, honey and of course fresh eggs, and weekend visitors can relax at their lovely cafe-restaurant to sample homemade lemonade, ice cream and omelettes among other snacks created from the fresh seasonal produce.
“When we first heard of Farma Moo and decided to visit the farm and meet the owners, we weren’t expecting too much to be honest. But we were amazed. It is extremely well organised, and the people who run it are very down to earth, helpful and interested in sharing new ideas about farming,” says Arwen Curley Panteleakis, one of the (currently) members. “We are enthusiastic to be able to enjoy our own fresh produce – such as a huge array of tomatoes, courgettes, strawberries, aubergines, cucumbers and more. It’s incredible what just four people are doing at this place – the upkeep of the land, the animals and in the weekend their great restaurant-cafe!”
Apart from being conscientious parents who want to feed their children the purest of foods, she and her husband Dimitrios Panteleakis, a chef and owner of brand new The Salty Pig restaurant in Athens, are happy about how they can grow their own bio products from the farm to create foods served at their business – from seasonal dishes to exciting concoctions like tomatillo ketchup. The couple, who live in central Athens have a vast experience of farming their own foods after having lived for many years on an island and growing a huge host of produce. “I’m thrilled,” says Arwen, whose friends had nicknamed her Lara Crop in her island-living days, “that finally we can farm again, and the sky’s the limit of what we can grow!”
Read more here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: User:Jpatokal License: CC-BY-SA
Source: greekcitytimes.com
25/04 22:00
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
25/04 14:49
Prices of products in Easter Basket the same or lower in Greece than in 2023
25/04 13:57
25/04 12:44
Greece and China to ink cooperation protocols in the fisheries sector
25/04 09:53
Extended shop opening hours for Easter in Greece start on Thursday
25/04 02:19
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
25/04 02:10
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
24/04 21:31
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
24/04 21:25
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
24/04 14:12
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
23/04 23:52
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
23/04 21:49
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
23/04 20:59
President of Hellenic Republic wraps up visit to Uruguay at parliament
23/04 15:44
Greek government will pass legislation halving commission paid for POS transactions
23/04 15:03
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
22/04 22:33
'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
22/04 21:25
22/04 20:37
Greek and Turkish delegations discuss Confidence Building Measures for 2024
22/04 18:29
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
22/04 13:40
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
Prices of products in Easter Basket the same or lower in Greece than in 2023
Extended shop opening hours for Easter in Greece start on Thursday
Greece and China to ink cooperation protocols in the fisheries sector
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
Prescription cannabis for medicinal use legally available in Greece for the first time
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
3-year stay and work permits approved for 30,000 undocumented migrants in Greece
Flights to and from Heraklion airport in Crete resume on Saturday
Greek Deputy Transport Minister flies in first test seaplane flight from Lavrio port
Greek Health Minister: Increase of vaccinations a top priority for the government
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
Bard Gemini Pro, Google's largest AI model, now available in Greece
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
Greek supermarkets record rise in value and decline in volume of FMCG sales
President of Hellenic Republic wraps up visit to Uruguay at parliament
Hellenic-American Cultural Foundation presents lecture with US University President