500 tons through the Program "Boroume at the Farmers' Market" to charitable institutions

Through the program "Boroume at the Farmers’ Market" the organization Boroume together with the sellers from 30 farmers’ markets of Athens and Thessaloniki and hundreds of volunteers-Food Saving Warriors, from 2015 until now have saved 500.000 kilos of leftover fruits and vegetables, which supported the work of 55 charitable institutions in Athens and Thessaloniki.

Since November 2015, when the pilot program "Boroume at the Farmers Market" was launched, hundreds of Boroume volunteers and charities have been visiting the cooperating farmers' markets on a weekly basis at the end of their working day and gathering the surplus fruits and sellers choose to offer to charities instead of throwing them away.

In more than 2.600 actions that have been carried out since the beginning of the program, the sellers of the 30 farmers' markets in Athens and Thessaloniki have offered over 500.000 kilos of fruits and vegetables to local charities, showing a sense of solidarity and support to those in need, as well as environmental sensitivity since these fit for consumption foods do not reach landfills. Even in very difficult times, such as the pandemic, the sellers of the farmers' markets, the volunteers of Boroume and the charitable institutions continue their social work relentlessly to support those in need, in an organized and dignified manner.

This chain of rescue and food offer of the program "Boroume at the Farmers' Market" has been continuously supported for 5 years by the Hellenic Initiative Australia, which we thank from the bottom of our hearts.

The head of the program "Boroume at the Farmers' Market" Ms. Anna Kambouropoulou states: "Food waste is a very big problem worldwide. Unfortunately, in our country the percentage of food we waste every year is more than double compared to the corresponding European average, while fruits and vegetables are the largest percentage of waste. Through the program "Boroume at the Farmers' Market" we try every day in an organized way to contribute to the rescue of these foods that many need, but find difficult to obtain. In this endeavor we have found enthusiastic helpers in the farmers' markets, which, even in the difficult period of the pandemic, show their social solidarity and environmental awareness. We also warmly thank our hundreds of volunteers and the dozens of non-profit organizations for their support and cooperation throughout this time."

The Presidents (alphabetically) of the Athens and Thessaloniki Farmers' Markets Federations state:

The President of the Federation of Professional Producers Associations -Thessalias- Thrace Mr. Angelos Deretzis says: "it is widely known, that those who work in Farmers' markets help our financially weak fellow human beings every day. They are aware "first hand" what situation they are in, since these people are not just our customers for years, but have now become our friends. So it is natural to respond to the giving of products in the program "Boroume at the Farmer’s Market" of the organization "Boroume". An initiative that we want to believe will continue, since unfortunately the conditions that prevail in economic and other levels make its existence necessary".

The President of the Federation of Producers Associations of Central & Western Macedonia Thessaly Thrace Mr. Vassilios Makridis states that: "Producers are helping in every effort to support our fellow human beings by offering from the goods they produce, participating in aid actions despite the dire economic situation in which they have recently found themselves in due to the pandemic. The feeling of solidarity for the fellow human being in them is strong and they are always there where there is a need!!!"

The President of the Panhellenic Federation of Associations of Producers of Agricultural Products of Farmers' Markets (POSPAPLA) Mr. Pantelis Moschos says: "Our cooperation with Boroume for 5 years is important because we are given the opportunity to help our fellow human beings in need systematically and in the long run. We in the Farmers' markets have the products that many need to support them, but we do not have the network, so this cooperation is positive for everyone, in Athens and Thessaloniki. We intend to continue to cooperate with Boroume in the future at an even better pace."

The President of the All-Union Federation of Vendors of Farmers' Markets (POSPLA) Mr. Dimitris Mouliatos says: "We the professional sellers of the farmers' markets stand constantly and uninterruptedly by to those who need it, proving that the farmers' markets are first "for the people" and then "markets". After all, when you take, your hands are full. But when you give, then your heart fills over flowingly! This is the reason why the farmers' markets were established in the conscience, in the mind and in the heart of the Greek, through a historical course of 92 years, not only as markets but also as a refuge for our weakest fellow citizens. We, the professional sellers of the farmers' markets, will continue silently and discreetly, through the wider social giving but also within the framework of the program "Boroume at the Farmers' Market" to contribute to the struggle to resolve the humanitarian crisis. This is our social contract, since the selfless offer was and remains synonymous with the farmers' markets and my colleagues".