Farmers Republic offers direct sales from producers

The concept is the brain child of entrepreneur Dimitris Koutsolioutsos, who after establishing www.gineagrotis.gr grocery e-shop, is now trying out the farmer market concept where small producers will be able to sell directly to consumers at low prices. The concept is novel for Greece, but an established institution abroad.

The difference in this case is that the market will be enclosed and will cover an area of 1,200 square meters and will have shelves for 100 packaged agricultural products. It will function as a supermarkets on weekdays, and on Saturdays as a direct market with 40 stalls.

Agios Stefanos was chosen as it's easily accessible through the Athens-Lamia national highway. The opening ceremony for the “Farmers Republic,” has been set for 25 January, and is coming at the same time as the institutionalization of open air markets for producers, as the relevant bill is in parliament for discussion.

The Farmers Republic will select the farmers, who must be professional producers, and their products, preferably organic, at least in a first phase, and should therefore have the requisite affidavits.

The company will provide the space and its management, in other words the logistics side of the business. In exchange for a rental fee producers will be able to sell fresh produce on Saturdays in stalls. Consumers will be able to buy from stalls products from nearby areas. On other days it will be a supermarket with products from producers from all over Greece for a small commission

Products offered will include olive oil, dairy products, cured and raw meats, honey, nuts, pasta, homemade sweets, and baked goods. According to Mr Koutsioloutsos it will a fair trade shop with fair prices for consumers and producers alike.