Meet Our Producers #13 Rahes’ Women’s’ Cooperative

Rahes’ Women’s’ Cooperative – Ikaria

This week’s Meet Our Producers post is all about women power as we welcome Rahe’s Women’s Cooperative from Ikaria.

The cooperative, which was founded in 2009 in the area Rahes of Ikaria, is the first women cooperative on the island. The women behind it, started this initiative to create a place where one could “taste” the island of Ikaria.

All the products of the cooperative’s line of products Ikarias Geyseis or Ikaria’s Tastes are made using 100% local fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables as well as other necessary raw materials, which are all sourced only from local small producers who follow sustainable and organic practices. Sourcing the raw materials only from Ikaria is important for the women behind the cooperative, as they deem it’s a key factor for the quality of their products, which the are not willing to sacrifice for profit. The products the cooperative offers range from jams, sweets, pickles and chutneys to jellos and liquors from local wild herbs.

The recipes for the products are traditional, with the women of the cooperative also adding their refreshing little twists. One really interesting such twist is that the sweets and jams of the cooperative which are based on fruits, contain very little sugar or the sugar is substituted with honey. Apart from the health benefits, in this way one can really taste the fruit. In general, all products are completely handmade and do not contain any added chemical preservative.

The women behind the cooperative want you to know that you can be sure you will understand the difference of their products compared to industrial ones as you will be able to taste only the raw materials Ikaria so generously offers and nothing else.

We are really proud to have such an inspiring initiative in our network of producers!