The social and timeless character of farmers’ markets was highlighted by the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Margaritis Schinas, during his visit to Aristotelous Square in Thessaloniki, where the celebration of 97 years of operation of farmers’ markets is taking place today, through the event “One Health at Laiki – The journey of life”.
Connecting the farmers’ market with Greek society, everyday life and the cultural identity of the country, Schinas made reference to the famous painting by Panagiotis Tetsis. “There is a painting by a well-known Greek painter, Panagiotis Tetsis, called “The Popular Market”. If you look at this painting, one of the most famous in Greek painting, you will see that it is full of colours and stalls. But the important thing is the people of the popular market,” the minister said.
Schinas spoke about the producers who “wake up at dawn”, the traders, housewives, workers and elderly people who meet every day at the popular markets, stressing that they are a living cell of society. “Popular markets have an identity element with Greece. They are our society. We are us,” he noted, expressing his pleasure at being present at this year’s event. It is “a celebration of all that agriculture, production, fruit, vegetables and people represent,” he noted, congratulating the organizers of the event, noting that “all of this is harmoniously linked around the Greek identity and the character of the popular markets.”
Deputy Minister of Interior – Macedonia and Thrace, Konstantinos Gioulekas, spoke about an institution that brings consumers in direct contact with producers and traders in the neighbourhood. Referring to the event taking place in Aristotelous Square, at the Venizelos statue, he noted that it is an interactive event, with the participation of many young people, where products and plants are distributed and “a beautiful image full of life and children’s voices” is created.
As he said, the aim is to ensure the smooth continuation and upgrading of the institution for the benefit of consumers and citizens.
<span style="very nice, lively event, which society really needs", said the Coordinator of the Prime Minister's Office in Thessaloniki, Yannis Papageorgiou. "The farmers' market is not a simple word: it is the producer, it is the citizen, it is the neighbourhood. And with the new framework now passed by the government of the New Democracy, more transparency, less bureaucracy is added and we can operate as best as possible, so that we can promote this institution even more," he said.
The regional governor of Central Macedonia, Athina Aedona, underlined the important role that the popular markets play in the everyday life of citizens and in strengthening the local economy: “Popular markets are the place where consumers find fresh and quality products at affordable prices. Behind every stall there is hard work, consistency and a whole local economy that moves, produces and sustains itself”. He noted that the MPA has long supported the institution through initiatives and partnerships that strengthen both producers and the service to citizens. “As the MPA, we actively recognise the importance of the farmers’ markets and we strengthen the institution through initiatives and partnerships that support producers and serve citizens even better,” he said.
“The MPA and the farmers’ markets now have a long-standing cooperation relationship for the benefit of our fellow citizens. Initiatives such as the “Solidarity Bench”, the creation of the Organization of Farmers’ Markets and the institutional protection of the sector’s independence, have put the operation of farmers’ markets in a new, modern framework, with the strengthening of social cohesion being our common concern,” he stressed, noting that today’s celebration in Aristotelous Square confirms that farmers’ markets remain a living institution with a strong social footprint and a substantial relationship with the citizen.
The deputy regional governor of the Metropolitan Unity of Thessaloniki, Konstantinos Youtikas, described the popular markets as a “powerful institution” with a 97-year presence throughout the country, noting that the Region of Central Macedonia supports their operation over time. As he said, behind the institution are people of production who work from the early hours of the morning to offer households fresh, healthy and quality products at affordable prices. At the same time, he stressed that the longevity of the farmers’ markets is based on the support of citizens, noting that the institution needs further upgrading, as it contributes significantly to the access of families to affordable and quality products.
The Deputy Regional Head of Health and Social Solidarity of Central Macedonia, Maria (Melina) Dermenzopoulou, stressed the importance of the “One Health” action, which links health with the environment, nutrition and lifestyle. She referred to the 97 years of operation of the farmers’ markets, describing them as a strong institution that supports local production, offers fresh products every day and strengthens both families and the local economy.
The Deputy Mayor of Care for the Third Age, Communities and Municipal Decentralization of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Pantelis Kazantzidis, described the event in Aristotelous Square as “a beautiful celebration that has become an institution for the city” and invited people to visit the event and participate in the activities taking place in the center of Thessaloniki.
For his part, the President of the General Confederation of People’s Markets, Angelos Deretzis, referred to the actions of this year’s event, emphasizing the educational character of the event and the participation of children. “Today we have a big concert in the evening, while from the morning we host children participating in interactive games and educational activities. We want the children to learn the value of healthy eating and the relationship they should have with the farmers’ market and quality products,” said Deretzis.
He clarified that today’s action is mainly dedicated to small visitors and not to commercial activity of producers or vendors. At the same time, he disclosed that about 10 tons of produce, including fruits, vegetables and plants, will be distributed during the event.
Educational activities for children and experiential workshops
With the central message of linking human health with the environment, nutrition and sustainable development, the farmers’ markets are celebrating 97 years of operation this year. This year’s event is inspired by the “One Health” philosophy, which highlights that human, animal and environmental health are inextricably linked and interdependent.
The farmers’ market is the ideal place to put this connection into practice, as it is where local production, food, nature and everyday life meet. The products that reach the stalls start from the earth and depend on natural resources such as water, air and sun, directly affecting the health and well-being of consumers.
In the framework of the event, from 09:00 to 14:00, educational and experiential activities for children and students of primary schools of Central Macedonia will take place.
Through eight thematic stations and interactive workshops, young visitors will have the opportunity to get to know the four elements of nature – earth, water, air and sun – and understand their relationship with nutrition, physical activity and the balance of life.
In addition, children will learn about the water cycle, how satellites monitor the planet and provide valuable data to improve agriculture, and how renewable energy sources such as sun, wind and water can be used to support energy production. In addition, they will learn about the seasonality of fruits and vegetables and the benefits of consuming seasonal produce, while an educational greenhouse will operate at the event site and traffic education and road safety activities will also take place.
Upon completion of the activities, young participants will receive prizes, including bags of fruit and vegetables, information material and plants.
An important part of the event will be the gastronomic presentations of the Municipality of Thessaloniki. The Chef Ambassadors of the municipality, Sofia Teftsi and Yannis Katsantonis, will cook live more than 500 summer recipes based exclusively on seasonal products available at the farmers’ markets.
The evening program will start at 18:00 and last until 23:30, with folk music and concerts.
The event will feature Dimitris Chrysochoidis, Marianthi Kefala, Evterpi Limnaiou, Equalizer, Babis Kemanetzidis and Giorgos Ioannidis, while music will be presented by dj Batsaras.
The event is organized by the General Confederation of Producers of Professional and Industrial Goods of the Greek Farmers’ Markets, in co-organization with the Region of Central Macedonia and the Farmers’ Markets Association of P.E. Thessaloniki.
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The event is under the auspices of the Ministry of Development, the Deputy Ministry of Interior (Sector Macedonia – Thrace) and the Municipality of Thessaloniki.
