Absolute transparency, respect for nature and no intermediaries. This is the spirit that animates the initiative Ginegrotis of the young Greek entrepreneur Dimitris Koutsolioutsos. In a dramatic moment like the one Athens is experiencing in these months in which the economy is in recession and unemployment is skyrocketing (22% in April), the Greek people are giving their best to be able to go back to work and leave their crisis behind.
“Become a farmer” (translation of gineagrotis) is based on a simple idea: through the website city dwellers rent a piece of land from a farmer (generally between 70 and 100 square meters), at least one month in advance they say what fruits and vegetables they would like to be growni (choosing among the seasonal ones available) and, once a week, they receive their own basket of vegetables at home.
For citizens, savings can even reach 70% compared to supermarket prices. But also for i farmers the advantages are remarkable: they know in advance what to plant, in what quantities and when to harvest. The economic return is also great because the farmer knows that he will be able to sell everything he produces, without waste. And he also receives a stable and guaranteed income.
Furthermore, if the consumer is on holiday or cannot receive the basket, he can ask to donate his weekly share to the soup kitchen in Athens. From September, each user will be able to choose to pay 10% more and donate 10% of the production to a humanitarian organization that helps the hungry and homeless throughout the country.
In an interview with the English newspaper The Guardian Koutsolioutsos said that it is about “create a direct connection between the consumer and the producer”. Indeed, he insists a lot on the importance of creating direct contact and that citizens get to know the farmers. "It is an alternative way of organizing the production and distribution of food."
Il The website started operating two days ago and has since had over 50 visitors in the Athens area alone. Over 5mila people have created a account and they tried to lease a piece of land, overwhelming expectations and exceeding the small company's resources. But more than 900 farmers have asked to join the project: the boom in demand will soon be bridged.
For the coming months Dimitris foresees a big expansion of the business and is preparing the offer of olive oil, eggs, sheep and goats. “The animals can be rented for an annual fee, choose when you want to butcher and have the meat directly at home: you just need to have a large enough freezer. Or many friends and family” to share the feast with.
All in full respect of nature and in absolute transparency: “No one will make fun of anyone. For farmers, it's what they've always wanted. For consumers, it is fresh and quality food, much cheaper. We are responding to real social and economic needs: it will work“. Who knows, maybe it might be Italy that looks to Greece as an example.
Read the article about The Guardian
