We established a social cooperative company in 2016, based on cultivation seeds of local traditional varieties, using agroecology methods.
We chose the name “Melitakes” because “Melitakas” is the ant in the Cretan dialect and comes from the corresponding Medieval Greek “melitax”, a root word of ancient Greek “honey”.
The complex ants’ society is self-regulating and functions as a super-organism. Through cooperation, they manage to build entire underground states, true architectural wonders, ventilation systems, labyrinthine corridors and plenty of rooms.
There is excellent job division, all members know their work and they never seem to sleep!
Manolis’ House
We are located in the village of Pirgos in south Heraklion region of Crete on the roots of Asterousia Mountains, where the luck of touristic resorts makes it one of the few spots saving the authentic character of the island.
The last 8 years, we grow grains, fruits and vegetables, producing high quality healthy foods, trying constantly to improve them, though we receive very good comments even from demanding food experts!
We feel that we still have many things to learn, but we also love to share our knowledge with anybody who is interested to experience an alternative – friendly to nature way of growing foods, based on love and respect. The stone house (built by Manolis himself), with open view to Messara valley is open to visitors who like to spend a few hours with us.
Our basic aim is to create a social center –pattern, where people will get general education, producing healthy food products and behaving based on great values of respect, love and solidarity.
We produce high nutrition value products, free of chemicals, for people who are aware of the connection between high quality food and health and the choice of food is a key priority for them.
During the last years, we have managed to maintain and spread seeds from traditional varieties, which we cultivate using simple techniques and natural formulations for fertilization and plant protection, most of which are produced by themselves. (For example, instead of spraying chemically the fields to dry the weeds, we just cut them off).
We also organize annually in our village the Season of Seeds and Autarky, where, apart from seed exchange, we hold informative seminars.
Similar information activities take place throughout the year in various regions of Crete. We also offer agro-ecological actions to the children of the Elementary School of the villages of the area.
Lastly, in cooperation with alternative tourism agencies, we welcome small groups that are sensitive to the field of agro-food, where, after informing them about our cultivation activities, we offer a meal based on true Cretan Nutrition. We also organize daily excursions, where, in addition to the above actions (information and nutrition), we help them discover the rare beauties of Asterousia Mountains.
Please, take your time to get the feeling as pictures say more than words.
We are looking forward to meeting you.
Best and warmest regards
The “Melitakes” group
