THE LAND
SUN, LIGHT, SEA, HISTORY AND FLAVOR
All the magic of the Mediterranean, the Romans’ Mare Nostrum, is hiding in these five words. In this southernmost tip of Europe, where ancient gods were born, the sea washes lacy coasts while wild mountains throw their shadow across fertile fields. It is a blessed land with hospitable people that accompany their joys and sorrows with colorful tables rich in fresh vegetables.
The Mediterranean is one of the warmest areas in the Old Continent. The daily sunshine and a minimum temperature of 10o C in the winter, make an ideal climate for producing vegetables that grow in the most natural way and in optimal conditions.
Thanks to this favorable climate, the fertile soil, the growers’ knowledge and a long tradition, thousands of acres in the Mediterranean are cultivated with vegetables of unrivalled quality and taste.
GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICE
Both practices of planting planning and hybrids selection have as main objective to cover the needs of different associates by providing recognizable quality vegetables.
The application of the suitable agricultural methods, the use of beneficial insects such as bumblebees for fertilization, the proper use of pesticides and fertilizers controlled daily by qualified agronomists, the rational use of water, the frequent analysis in accredited laboratories as well as the fulfillment of traceability requirements through all production stages (from field to the final packaging of each separate batch) result to optimized quality and an efficient variety and quantity planning of produced products the whole year.
EUROPEAN VEGETABLES
Fresh vegetables are a key component of the Mediterranean diet which has been scientifically proven to contribute to a better quality of life.
Fresh vegetables contain a significant amount of water, minimum fat, are free of cholesterol and low in calories. Still they are rich in vitamins and minerals that help maintain a healthy, balanced body weight and good vitality.
TOMATO
In southern Europe tomatoes are cultivated throughout the year, giving a product of high quality and nutritional value. Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, folic acid and lycopene and one of the most popular vegetables as proved by high consumption figures worldwide.
The tomato varieties that are put to the market and are renowned for their quality and high nutritional value are:
- tomato in different shapes and sizes such as the big-sized seed tomato (beef)
- medium-sized seed tomato in cluster
- the plum type cherry tomato, which due to its fruit’s shape and full taste has a great appeal to consumers
- the cherry tomato with the bright red color and many others.
CUCUMBER
Thanks to its refreshing taste, cucumber holds a leading role in salads.
It is highly nutritious and a great ally to skin beauty. Rich in dietary fibers cucumber also contains vitamins B and C, iron, magnesium and essential trace elements. It grows mostly in areas with high temperatures and humidity.
Cultivated in the Mediterranean region are both long and short cucumber varieties known as Knossos cucumbers. Cucumbers can be consumed raw in salads or in food. They can be also used as an ingredient for homemade cosmetics.
PEPPER
Pepper is a basic ingredient of the Mediterranean cuisine. It can be consumed raw in salads, roasted as an appetizer or cooked in traditional foods and contemporary gastronomy dishes.
Its fruits have a vivid color and are rich in vitamins A and C as well as carotenoids.
Mediterranean peppers are of excellent quality and types that can be found are the green “horn”, “Florina” peppers (charleston type), the dolma and the flask type peppers.
EGGPLANT
The eggplant arrived in Europe by the 13th century and ever since it has become an important ingredient of the Mediterranean diet.
It is a fresh vegetable with particular taste, that is rich in sodium, vitamin A and flavonoids which have strong antioxidant activities and needs warm climates in order to grow.
Most known varieties of European eggplants are:
- the flask and
- the Tsakonian
QUALITY
The European vegetables of the Mediterranean stand out for their exceptional quality that includes:
- appearance
- freshness
- good packaging
- secure transportation
and most importantly
- the high nutritional value that is so much needed and seeked for by today’s consumers.
CERTIFICATIONS
The European Mediterranean vegetables, meet all the requirements that are laid down in the European legislation which has the strictest provisions worldwide. Furthermore, they are certified by independent bodies according to the AGRO 2.1 & 2.2 national standards and the GLOBALGAP, ISO 22000, BRC and IFS international protocols, which are applied during all stages, from production to standardization and handling, resulting thus to a universal quality system from the field to the final consumer.
STANDARDIZATION
The product reception, processing, packaging and storage spaces are housed in new, modern premises. Refrigerators with varying cooling levels, modern automated classification lines, automated Flow pack and stretch film machines can guarantee that the vegetables are appropriately preserved from the moment they leave the greenhouse until they are packed.
State-of-the-art sorting machines allow the products to be separated according their weight, color and volume in order to achieve uniformity in the final product. As far as certain products are concerned, as for example cluster tomatoes and when necessary, the sorting and packaging is performed by qualified staff under constant supervision of a quality control manager.
According its quality the final product is separated in categories such as extra, category I and category II.
In order to meet customer requirements all kinds of standardization and packaging are available: eco-friendly cardboard boxes, single use plastic crates, folding crates etc.
EUROPEAN VEGETABLES TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD
Due to long standing experience, care and a high sense of responsibility, the production, selection, packaging and transportation of vegetables is practiced in accordance with the highest standards of quality and safety.
The boxes are stored in pallets and bear appropriate labeling in line with European standards. Transportation takes place in collaboration with reliable logistics companies, in proper conditions taking into account each client’s particular needs.
The European vegetables of the Mediterranean are ready to travel with safety to the largest wholesalers of the central fruit and vegetable markets of European and third countries as well as large super market chains that wish to provide their customers with fresh vegetable products that have a name of origin, high nutritional value and unique quality.
ENJOY IT’S FROM EUROPE
CONTACT
This website is created within the framework of the “Information provision and promotion measures on fresh vegetables in Germany, Greece, Poland and the Czech Republic” program with regard to Regulation (EU) No 1144/2014 of the European Parliament, by the Association of Legal Persons consisting of A.S Anatoli, A.S Timpaki, A.S. Notos, A.S Kountoura, O.P Faslassarna- St. Kompogennitakis & Co Ltd, A.S Psaris and A.S. Kamiros.
“The content of this document represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains.”
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