In a unique initiative, the Municipality of Thessaloniki has begun harvesting olives from the trees spread across the city to produce its very own municipal organic olive oil. The project aims not only to utilise the fruit but also to raise awareness about environmental protection and provide support to vulnerable social groups.
City workers have been collecting olives from approximately 150-200 olive trees found in various areas of Thessaloniki. These trees are scattered across prominent locations like Vlatadon Monastery, the waterfront, the city hall, Angelaki Street, the universities, Triandria, the Rotunda, and other neighbourhoods. This marks the first time that the olives, which have been flourishing throughout the city, are being gathered for the production of olive oil.
The municipality estimates that around 800-1000 kg of olives will be harvested, resulting in the production of 150-200 kg of high-quality olive oil. Once produced, the olive oil will be distributed to support the city's social services, specifically aiding vulnerable populations. The initiative is being led by Thessaloniki’s Green Services, who identified the abundance of olives on the city's trees and recommended the harvest.
Stelios Angeloudis, the mayor of Thessaloniki, highlighted the symbolic importance of the project, saying, "This initiative serves as an opportunity to send a message about the importance of environmental protection while also supporting those in need. The trees return to us much more than we give them, and with the olive oil we produce, we want to ensure that vulnerable social groups are not forgotten."
Vassilis Diamantakis, the municipal councillor in charge of green initiatives, explained that the project is a starting point for a more organised effort in the future. "This year, we are registering the olive trees, and we hope to build on this initiative year by year, expanding the production and the benefits it brings to the community," he said.
Historical Significance of Olive Trees in Greece
Olive trees hold a deep historical and cultural significance in Greece, where olive oil has been a staple of the Mediterranean diet for centuries. Greece is one of the world's largest producers of olive oil, renowned for its high-quality, extra-virgin varieties. The olive tree itself is symbolic of peace, wisdom, and prosperity in Greek culture and mythology, dating back to ancient times when Athena, the goddess of wisdom, was believed to have gifted the olive tree to Athens.
Urban Greening and Sustainability
Thessaloniki’s project is part of a growing trend of urban greening, where cities incorporate agriculture and natural landscapes into urban environments. This not only enhances local food production but also supports biodiversity and combats the effects of climate change. The olive tree, which thrives in the Mediterranean climate, is well-suited for urban planting, providing aesthetic and environmental benefits, such as reducing urban heat and improving air quality.
The olive oil produced from the city’s trees will be subject to quality certification before being distributed to Thessaloniki’s social welfare programs. As part of the initiative, the municipality also plans to expand the registration of olive trees across the city, ensuring that future efforts to harvest and produce olive oil are more organised.
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