In 2020, we are more aware than ever about what goes on our plates, and with veganism and environmental consciousness on the rise dramatically, farm to fork micro-industries are taking off big time!
One such local cottage industry is Mosta's Bint L-Irjieħ, a family-run piece of rich Maltese land brimming with seasonal fruit and vegetables, and what's more, they're grown without the use of potentially harmful chemicals, making use of natural pest deterrents instead.
Not only are smaller batch harvests healthier, they're also tastier, something the customers of Bint L-Irjieħ are quick to confirm. By reducing air miles on imported foreign produce, shopping local is one way we can all do our bit to combat climate change and pollution- something we're so down with!
We caught up with Valentina Sansone, who's family operate Bint L-Irjieħ pesticide-free produce, along with trusty on-site farmer Zaren. Here's what she had to share with GuideMeMalta!
Hey Valentina! What exactly is Bint l-Irjieħ and how did it start off?
Bint L-Irjieħ is the name of our new family home. It started off in 2017, when my parents purchased a farmhouse on the outskirts of Mosta, an area known as Il-Biżbiżija. They were tired of the urban life and wished for a change of scene. Their dream is to retire as close to nature as possible, and in 2017, they took the very first step by purchasing this property.
We will be moving in within the next couple of months, but for now our in-house farmer Zaren, who hails from Imġarr, a locality renowned for its strawberries, takes care of the crops at the property on a full-time basis.
What does “Bint l-Irjieħ” mean and why was it chosen to be the name of your produce?
Bint L-Irjieħ translates into ‘daughter of the winds’. This name was chosen because the property is a farmhouse set on a plateau, which is exposed to all the elements, especially the winds.
It was chosen to be the name of our brand because it captures the essence of the property perfectly. Part of the inspiration was coincidentally taken from a trip to Pantelleria a few summers ago, which is itself an island named after the daughter of the winds by the ancient Arabs.
Interesting! How did the idea for a pesticide-free range come about?
We were fed up of buying fruit and vegetables that were full of pesticides from supermarkets, and dreamt of one day producing our very own fruit and veg. That way, we would know exactly what goes into them, and we would know that we’d be eating genuine, healthy food, and not processed junk.
For now, we produce all kinds of fruit and veg, such as cabbage, kale, carrots and strawberries. However, we wish to expand in the future by producing our very own honey and olive oil. In fact, 200 olive trees have just been planted, and we have just acquired a bee colony of 2,000 bees.
Wow! Tell us, what is different about organic and pesticide free fruit and veg?
Currently, we are not certified as organic as the process takes two years and we have just initiated it. However, our produce is coined ‘pesticide free’, as our in-house farmer does not use any pesticides, and relies solely on a kind of sulphur, which is a natural alternative to pesticides, ultimately producing tasty, healthy fruit and veg. Also, my parents invested in very high-quality soil, which of course plays a big role in the quality of our produce.
Why is organic and pesticide free produce important?
What we eat has a major impact on our mental and physical health. Studies have shown that traditional pesticides cause both short-term adverse health effects, such as nausea, as well as chronic adverse effects, such as cancers and reproductive harm. Therefore, we strive to provide the most natural produce possible, as we believe that it is beneficial for human health, as well as for the environment.
Where can we buy Bint l-irjieh products?
At the moment, we are available from the Organic Section at Smart Supermarket, located in Birkirkara. Hopefully within the next few months we will start a delivery and pick-up service directly from our property in Mosta.
Exciting! What has the customer response been so far?
So far so good! We’ve received lovely comments about our produce, both in person as well as through our social media pages. Over the past couple of years, consumers have become very aware about the benefits of organic produce, and our customers are happy that they now have access to genuine produce.
What is your job role, and who else is in the team?
My younger brother Matteo and I take care of the deliveries to Smart Supermarket, which are then packaged by the Smart team, who pass on the produce to the Organic Section. We also handle the social media pages, including both Facebook and Instagram. My mother then handles customer care and invoicing, and my father ensures that all crops are up to standard by checking them every morning and evening. It’s a family run business, and we all help each-other out when necessary.
Lovely! Finally, what is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is hearing what our customers have to say about our produce. Personally, I notice such a big difference when eating our own produce, rather than produce containing pesticides, and I love being told this by customers. It really is so satisfying!
Thanks Valentina! We cant wait to try out and get our hands on some tasty Bint L-Irjieh veggies!