Photos: Amber Degiorgio - Blue Bird Photography

Warm smiles welcome me to The Veg Box at Villa Bologna, and I am impressed by the dedicated work of the young ladies in the gardens there. And what I find particularly interesting, is Emanuela De Giorgio’s motivations for leaving a career in marketing to embrace a sole venture in natural farming. Here's to the goodness of local, fresh and organic produce, according to Emanuela.

1. Food from the earth is nourishing 

“Our bodies need certain nutrients to remain strong and healthy. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain many of these nutrients. Dark leafy greens, for example, contain chlorophyll, which is essential for the body, but not many people know that. Edible education needs to be given more importance - food is our life!”

2. Organic is better 

“The word organic means something that is simply grown, without overusing the soil and opting for natural ways to deter pests. Even small amounts of pesticides ingested regularly over a long period of time can harm our bodies. Certified Organic is a guarantee to the consumer that the food was grown free of chemicals and fertilizers. Consumers need this guarantee, because their food is arriving from a source unknown to them.”

3. Local is best

"Sourcing food locally helps ensure its freshness and traceability. We know it is seasonal and coming fresh from the soil. In addition, it supports local farmers and has a low carbon footprint."

"Food fuels our bodies and those of our loved ones. Shortening the chain between the farm and our plate helps us get the best produce grown in the most genuine and natural way. ”

4. Seasonal is right 

"Buying local also means eating seasonal foods, nature’s own way of selecting the food your body needs in a particular place, in a particular climate, in a particular time. Is growing food forcefully under false conditions, using artificial lighting and fertilizers, really doing anyone any favours?"

5. Support local farmers 

Emanuela further advocates that farmers are the basis of life, because they grow the food we all need to eat three times a day. However, this vocation is on the decline, so supporting local farmers is essential.

6. Fair Trade always 

"Do you know where your vegetables are coming from? Unfortunately, farmers in distant countries are often paid a pittance for their work, so if you must purchase imported produce, let it be one that is Fair Trade guaranteed." 

7. Eco-friendly is the way 

"But choose local if you can! Local food has travelled less and, therefore, impacts the environment less through its carbon footprint. Still, as absurd as it sounds, there is a far larger percentage of eco-UNfriendly products on the market, to which everyone keeps turning a blind eye. We can start by doing our bit for this island and this planet of ours," Emanuela explains. “On a socio-educational level, greater value needs to be given to those products and services coming from a business that is taking measures to be sustainable.”

8. And it's delicious!

Stepping past her dog, Lula, in her wellies, while peeling soil-mucked gloves from her hands, Emanuela adds the bunch of rucola she has freshly picked for me to the kale, chard, broccoli, pumpkin, beetroot, fennel and other unbelievably tasty vegetables, fruits and herbs filling my basket, and I think, apart from all that, why doesn’t anyone ever mention how much better organically-grown food actually tastes?

Where to get fresh, organic greens locally

The Veg Box - Own produce cut fresh from the on-site garden and shop with organic produce from local farmers.

Vincent’s Eco Farm - Own produce and shop with local and imported organic produce.

Ta’ Znied Microgreens - Own organic microgreens produce by order.

Barbuto - Bi-weekly deliveries of organic produce from Sicily.

Your supermarket - Although mostly imported, most supermarkets have an organic section and health food section.

Eat good, feel good! And if you REALLY love your greens, be sure to check out the Top 5 vegan & vegetarian eats in Malta while you're here!