The workshop “Confirming the Value of Our Agricultural Products,” which took place on Thursday, July 4, 2024, at the new building of the Region of Thessaly, concluded with the best impressions. The event focused on the health claims of Greek Local & PDO – PGI* products, scientifically documented for the first time.
The workshop, held under the auspices of the Region of Thessaly, was of significant interest to the agricultural sector of Thessaly and the entire country as it announced the results of the Program “Strengthening the Position of High Nutritional Value Products” by the Organization New Agriculture New Generation. This was implemented through a foundational grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), in collaboration with the University of Thessaly (UTH) and with the support of the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (ETHEAS).
During the event, the methodology of the program and its results concerning the health claims (i.e., beneficial properties) of a series of popular Greek countryside products were presented: Pieria Kiwifruit, Lykouri Almonds, Pelion, Chania Oranges, Prespa Beans, Chania Avocados, Messinia Figs and Corinthian Raisins.
Following this, a panel discussion with experts took place, where the practical application of Health Claims for the benefit of farmers and agri-entrepreneurs was presented and discussed. An open discussion followed, engaging experts with representatives of cooperatives, local government, and professional farmers.
Participants in the event included:
- Dimitris Tsetsilas, Thematic Deputy Regional Governor of Primary Sector and Agricultural Economy, who conveyed the greeting of the Regional Governor Mr. Dimitris Kouretas, highlighting the importance of the program and the pursuit of obtaining Health Claims for Thessaly’s producers.
- Moschos Korasidis, General Manager of ETHEAS, who greeted the event and referred to the program’s importance for the entirety of Greek agricultural production.
- Effie Lazaridou, CEO of New Agriculture New Generation. In her intervention, she emphasized the crucial role that health claims can play in the competitiveness of local products and PDO and PGI products and in increasing value for producers, as well as the role of the organization she represents in coordinating and implementing this initiative.
- Dimitris Voloudakis, Capacity Building Director of New Agriculture New Generation, responsible for the program from the organization’s side, among other points, focused on the next stages of the Program and announced the creation of a business accelerator for farmers and entrepreneurs who produce and market program products with Health Claims.
- Fotis Tekos, PhD, CEO of Foodoxys, Researcher at the University of Thessaly, made a detailed intervention on the scientific aspect of the program, its methodology, and conclusions.
The panel of experts that followed (Round Table), coordinated by Ms. Effie Lazaridou and aimed at highlighting the added value of Health Claims, included:
- Georgios I. Arsenos, DrVetMed, Ph.D, Dip, ECSRHM, Professor of Animal Production, Ethology and Animal Welfare, Director of the Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, AUTH
- Dimitrios Psathas, MSc, Agronomist-Quality Manager of Olive Oil, Klea Premium Goods
- Dimitrios Vlachostergios, Research Director, Director of IBKF/ELGO-DIMITRA
- Magda Peistikou, Head of Education, INSETE, Editor-in-Chief of Food Service Magazine
Professor Arsenos highlighted examples where scientific research combined with proper production processes has created high nutritional value products, while Mr. Psathas subsequently presented a case study on how producing olive oil with a high percentage of polyphenols naturally “opened” the US market for exports. Mr. Vlachostergios emphasized the need to maintain Greek varieties in cultivation, citing the resilience of Greek chickpea varieties to the country’s climatic conditions without the need for frequent pesticide spraying. Finally, Ms. Peistikou detailed how health claims can be utilized in the marketing and branding of Greek agricultural products.
The event was attended by Mr. Evangelos Kraniotis, President of A.S. Melivoias “I ATHANATI,” Mr. Nikos Gousios, Vice President of A.S. “ENIPEA,” and Mr. Panagiotis Gouviosis, Agronomist of A.S. “ZAGORA.”
The discussion towards the end of the workshop was lively with excellent exchanges of views and experiences among producers, entrepreneurs, and experts.
Ms. Effie Lazaridou, during the event, made the following statement: “As an organization, our goal is to help develop the competitiveness of Greek local products and foods with a designation of origin. In this direction, we document health claims, which emerge as extremely significant in international trends. Today, 56% of consumers globally seek foods that have a positive effect on their health and wellness. Thus, through this initiative, we try to fortify Greece’s local products with such claims, supporting them to become more competitive in markets. The conclusions announced today concern the first phase of the program, with the collaboration of the University of Thessaly, the funding of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and the valuable support of ETHEAS and the Region of Thessaly. This allowed us to support health claims for a total of 8 products, some of which are from the Thessaly region. Now the second phase follows, where we will practically support with specific initiatives those producers, organizations, groups, and cooperatives that utilize these products commercially. The goal is to take a step further and create additional added value also in economic terms.”
Indisputably, the scientific documentation of health claims for a significant number of Greek Local and PDO – PGI products for the first time constitutes a strategic step towards enhancing the competitiveness of the Greek primary sector.
*Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) – Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)
