This company produces 70 organic products on 30 hectares of land in La Huerta de Valencia, a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System
Spain is often referred to as "the orchard of Europe" due to its role as one of the continent's main suppliers of fruits and vegetables. Within Spain, one of the most important areas is the Mediterranean coast. There, you’ll find La Huerta de Valencia, a world agricultural heritage site and a historic region known for producing fruits and vegetables.
In this area is where SAiFRESC (Catarroja, Valencia) is based. This company that has just won the Best Organic Food Retailer award at the EU Organic Awards. Founded by three farmers in 2011, the company has revitalized agriculture in La Huerta de Valencia. With 30 hectares of organic land, they produce 70 organic products, including 50 varieties of vegetables, 10 types of herbs, and 10 types of fruits. They sell 90% of their production locally, which allows them to reduce packaging. The initiative promotes a circular economy and offers educational workshops on organic farming.
"We cultivate local varieties for their particular organoleptic characteristics, grown in season and harvested at their peak ripeness. Additionally, we conduct research and development activities to improve our production," explains Julio Quilis, one of the three co-founders of SAiFRESC.
Among the varieties they produce are Swiss chard, celery, broccoli, green asparagus, romaine lettuce, peas, basil, chives, dill, mushrooms, apricots, cherries, strawberries, pears, plums, oranges, and melons, among many others.
Furthermore, Quilis emphasizes that SAiFRESC is "an economically viable project that can be replicated in other areas of La Huerta de Valencia." Currently, they create jobs for about 30 people in the area, strengthening the social and economic life of their surroundings.
The EU Organic Awards were launched as an annual celebration to recognize excellence in the organic value chain. These awards consist of 8 awards across 7 different categories. They acknowledge different actors in the organic value chain who have developed an excellent, innovative, sustainable, and inspiring project that brings real added value to organic production and consumption.