SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 13 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Government of the Canary Islands has awarded the Canary Islands Agrarian, Fisheries and Food Awards, from its XXVIII and XXIX editions, to entities and individuals who contribute to promoting local Canarian products, while at the same time They promote the primary sector so that it continues to be one of the economic engines of the Archipelago.
The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Government of the Canary Islands, Alicia Vanoostende, highlighted the work “of the true protagonists who work every day to promote a sector that has been shaken by structural and temporary problems, but which has always been capable of to face all the challenges to stay on your feet”.
Alicia Vanoostende highlighted the importance of a contest that “makes visible the people and entities that are the engine of our sector, making known its capital importance as a strategic sector for Canarian society”.
Vanoostende pointed out that these awards “promote and strengthen the transversality of the gender approach in rural and fisheries development policies, and make the general population aware of the importance of gender equality. A commitment to the generational renewal of women and to the promotion of new sources of employment in the rural world, fixing population to the territory and avoiding the stagnation of the economies of those areas”.
The Canary Islands Agrarian, Fisheries and Food Awards, which have been held since 1986, have established themselves as benchmarks for the sector and as an instrument to support the objectives of the regional Executive. On this occasion, the Ministry has had to combine the last two editions, since the previous call was affected by the consequences of the pandemic.
AWARDS OF THE XXVIII EDITION
The Canarian Rural Woman Award goes to Pilar Carballo, from the La Jara Ecological Farm. The Government of the Canary Islands, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, has wanted to reward the work of this woman, given the work of recovery and start-up of a sustainable agricultural and livestock farm, in the municipality of Arafo, in Tenerife.
This project contributes to diversify the economy, modernization and quality of life in rural areas within the framework of sustainable development, in addition to guaranteeing something as essential as equal rights and opportunities throughout the territory.
On the other hand, the honorary distinctions recognize the work, among others, of Lismar Peña, who is the founder of ‘Sabores del Norte Canarias’, a small company dedicated to the creation and management of gastronomic projects and ideas, in which the promotion of local product in the Canary Islands.
Pedro Jiménez also obtained an honorary distinction, a professional in the fishing sector who has contributed to strengthening this activity, and specifically, the tuna sector in Tenerife, highlighting both his contribution to the art of tuna fishing, and in favor of associations to improve the marketing of fishery products.
María del Pino Calcines also obtains this distinction. She is a visionary rancher and 20th century entrepreneur fully dedicated to cattle care. With his farm, located in the area known as ‘Huerto de Mézquez’, in the municipality of Pájara, he has been the forerunner of numerous initiatives that endure and mark the times, such as the production and marketing of cheese, yogurt, liquors, among other dairy products.
Likewise, the Prize for Tourist Accommodation Establishment in the Hotel modality is for the Fedola Group. The history of this business group begins with roots in the primary sector. To this day, the Fedola group stands out for potato cultivation and research in the Canary Islands, as well as its development in the hospitality world with the ‘GF Hoteles’ chain, in Tenerife. In their kitchens, local products are pampered and they are committed to a chain of suppliers that offer high quality products.
The Award for Restoration Establishment in the Canary Islands goes to the El Duende de Fuego Gastro Bar Restaurant. Located in the municipality of Los Llanos de Aridane and under the direction of Pedro J. Hernández Castillo, it bases its proposal on readapted conceptual cuisine, pouring all its experiences and concerns into offering a differentiated offer. In each dish, the potential of the products offered by the island is sought, while contributing to agricultural development and the conservation of the landscape of the island of La Palma.
XXIX EDITION AWARDS
Brenda Rodríguez obtains the Canarian Rural Woman Award in this edition. Livestock farmer and cheese producer that combines tradition and innovation in an activity in which her dedication to caring for the native breed, currently in danger of extinction, such as the Palmera goat, stands out.
The Honorary Distinctions are for Lorenzo Oliverio Pérez, Caja Siete-Caja Rural Sociedad Cooperativa de Crédito, as well as for Natalia and Beatriz Mayor Monzón, from Ganadería Naroy.
Lorenzo Oliverio Pérez is the manager of Canaturex and president of Acecican and a professional farmer who has worked to rescue the cochineal crop in the Canary Islands, very important in the mid-19th century and which had its peak in 1860. Caja Siete- Caja Rural Sociedad Cooperativa de Crédito achieves this recognition for its support to the primary sector of the Canary Islands for 60 years, a support that has intensified in the last two years. While Natalia and Beatriz Mayor are ranchers who have managed to preserve the traditional methods of grazing, transhumance and the production of cheeses matured in caves. They combine youth, training and love for traditions.
The Tigaiga-Puerto de la Cruz Hotel obtains the Award for Tourist Accommodation Establishment in the Hotel modality. Located in the municipality of Puerto de la Cruz, the hotel dates from the fifties. The promotion and value of the local product by the team of cooks stands out, bringing their knowledge of the Canarian gastronomy closer to the clients. Take advantage of the establishment’s facilities to highlight some local products, contributing to their dissemination and purchase among their customers.
Al Kamezi Deli & Bistro Restaurant receives the Canary Islands Restoration Establishment Award. It is much more than a restaurant, it is a gastronomic creation project committed to connecting innovation, tradition and the essence of the Lanzarote product. Fresh and seasonal products, the result of the work of local farmers, ranchers and fishermen, are the protagonists of the dishes proposed in their market tasting menus.
Inverpescatron Lanzarote SL is awarded the Award for the Distribution Company of Seafood and Aquaculture Products. It is a company founded by Carmen Noelia Betancor Viera and Juan Francisco Martín Cabrera that, since its opening in 2012, has been dedicated to the sale and purchase of fresh fish, mainly caught in Canarian waters. It is distributed locally, regionally and nationally.
Spar Gran Canaria obtains the Award for the Distribution Company of Agri-food Products. This independent chain, which has a license from Spar Internacional to operate on the island of Gran Canaria, stands out for its commitment to the island’s economy and its support for numerous social and sports programs to give back to Canarian society part of what it receives.
Since its inception, it has been closely linked to the primary sector, supporting farmers and ranchers and closing agreements to guarantee their production at fair prices. As a consequence, Spar Gran Canaria is the leader in the sale of fruits and vegetables on the island, offering products from the highest quality and KM 0.
