As we near the end of 2019 we are delighted to report that our Flavours from the Fields project in Turkey has generated more than €56,000 income for producers in its first year.

Seven producer units that incorporate more than 100 farmers, producing local delicacies such as olive oils, table olives, jams, dried fruits and honey, have started to see the financial benefits of the project.

The first year of this three-year project was predominantly about supplying readily available local products to mainstream hotels in the Mugla region. Fethiye, Ölüdeniz and Sarigerme were chosen as the pilot work areas for the first year and 19 tourism businesses (the majority of which are 4-5 star hotels) participated in the project. Large quantities of products were delivered to hotels: 6,400kg of honey; 6,300kg of olive oil and 3,400kg of jam.

Our project team conducted supply and demand research and the local producers who were struggling to market their products were given priority when it came to brokering agreements and linking them to mainstream hotels in the region. Drawing on our previous experience and knowledge about sustainable local supply links from previous projects was key to successfully engaging the hotels.

Next year, the project will be expanded to Marmaris and Bodrum which are among the most popular destinations in Turkey. The objective is to engage with new hotels, work with new producers and develop suitable products that can be attractive and viable for tourism businesses.