Companies involved i direct sales in the provinces of Florence and Prato are run by women, accorsding to a new study.
These companies utilize direct sales to reach the consumer without going through a distributor, which spell notable savings thanks to a convenient quality-price ratio.
The study, conducted by Coldiretti Firenze-Prato (www.firenze-prato.coldiretti.it) found that of the 286 agricultural businesses (including holiday farms), 96 of them are run by women.
Of these, there are 44 cases of co-ownership with husband or partner or mother and daughter, actively participating in the production and commercialisation of fruits and vegetables, olive oil and wine, honeys, jams and other traditional local farm products.
Coldiretti found a total of 140 companies run by women. A percentage destined to grow over the next few years thanks to the concept of multi-functionality that considerably widened the range of possible actions for the agricultural system including the maintenance and protection of wooded areas and the landscape or holiday farms.
In Tuscany, 30.5% of agricultural businesses are owned by women - 3% more than the national average (28.2%). The Lucca area boasts the highest number of women-owned agricultural businesses (38%).
Another factor indicative of female entrepreneurship is the number of applications for support from the Rural Development Program (PSR) - requests from women made up 35% of applications (936 out of 2,700).
There are numerous examples. From the Mugello to Greve in Chianti, the number of female owned businesses celebrates the innovation of women and the growing phenomenon of women entrepreneurs.
In Florence it's impossible not to know Manuela Magherini's farm business located on via A. Gentileschi - a habitue' of the Sant'Ambrogio market, hers is a historic business that brings the tastes and spirit of the countryside into the city.
Manuela's daughter, Valentina, inherited her mother's passion for cooking and for the Florentine Heirloom tomato.
Just outside the city walls in Scandicci on via D'Arigo, we find the Podere Del Leone (www.poderedelleone.it), agritourismi and organic farm with a spectacular view of the Duomo.
The company is run by two sisters, Alessandra and Claudia Lucci. Their strong points are their IGT Toscano wine and extra-virgin olive oil. All organic, naturally.
Debora and Filippo Rossi brought their San Casciano produce to Novoli when they opened a farmer's market. The two 30-year-olds decided if the consumer can't go to them, they'll go to the consumer.
You'll find fruit, vegetables, wine, olive oil, cheese and other traditional products.
The proprietors of the Canciulle farm in San Casciano, Sonia and Leonardo, are pioneers in organic farming.
Their stand is a market where vegetables go straight from the ground to the customer's bag. It's the best example of ''direct sales'' there is.
The Scarperia area of the Mugello boasts the Bacciotti farm (via Campagna 27 in Sant'Agata), owned by Sandra and Roberto Mongili. The brother and sister team are specialized in sheep's milk cheese.
They sell their cheese both at their production facility (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and through one of the area's oldest traditions (now in decline): door to door. Regardless of weather conditions, every Thursday is dedicated to their clients in Florence and beyond.
In Greve in Chianti, Anna Maria Socci and her husband Giuliano own Le Masse di Lamole, where they produce Chianti Classico and IGT Alta Valle di Greve using traditional harvesting methods. Their motto is: ''Our wine is born on the vine'. They also produce extra-virgin olive oil.
Sabrina Caloia's farm in Vicchio merits a visit. Her selections include fruits, vegetables, strawberries (in May!), plants and lemons, which she brings to the Borgo San Lorenzo farmers market every Wednesday afternoon.
Also in Vicchio is the Il Farnetino (www.farnetino.com) farm owned by Lucia Moro. Along with her husband Piero and their children, they produce organically grown legumes, fruit and vegetables.
Among their specialties is an excellent whole wheat pasta that beats anything you can find in supermarkets.
The entire Valdarno area is filled with women entrepreneurs who produce natural cosmetics made from aromatic substances like rosemary, olive oil and honey.
In particular, the La Serena farm , in Ciai, which also sells olive oil and legumes typical of the area, like Cece Rosa and Fagiolo Zolfino (www.agriserena.it)
The Podere Faeto in Figline Valdarno, run by Laura Pampaloni, produces extra-virgin olive oil, honey, fruits, irises (flowers and bulbs), dried fruit, and cherries and strawberries in May. Everything is organic.
Finally, in the Carmignano hills (in the Prato province), the Podere Midolla is not to be missed.
Owner Antonella Rastrelli runs this farm/guest house that has recently opened a restaurant as well. One of the first businesses to use geothermic energy, she produces dried Carmignano figs, excellent organic olive oil and jams made from fruit grown on the farm.
