Studenac The proximity retailer located in Croatia has been able to strengthen its relationships with farmers of the family in the northeastern region, Slavonia through providing them the opportunity to sell their fruit as well as vegetables. The company is developing a brand new local source for fresh fruits and vegetables while also boosting the economy of the region.

Studenac employees were on a visit to a farm run by the family the region in order to assist with the fruit harvest.

Within its One Step closer to Community program The chain with over 1,200 stores is cooperating with Jabuka and Osatina groups of small-scale farmers. They are registering farms owned by family members in the region that are taking into the scheme. Once producers have provided information regarding their logistics and capacity and capabilities, the chain will evaluate their products and conduct tests of quality.

Marlen Mesinovic, Commercial Director: “At Studenac, our aim is to create stores that are both tiny and vital’ to communities in their area We recognize the importance of small-scale farmers as vital to their community and the nation’s supply of food. We’re incredibly proud utilize our national reach to provide Slavonian farmers an increased number of customers for their top-quality items.”

Studenac stores have been operating in Slavonia which is the region of agriculture that is known as”the “Breadbasket of Croatia” since the year 2000, since it bought its Lonia Trgovina store chain. From the time of its purchase from Enterprise Investors, one of the most significant private equity fund within Central as well as Eastern Europe, Studenac has grown from its original location in the region that is a part of the coast called Dalmatia expanding organically as well as through a number of acquisitions.

Studenac is planning to extend the reach of its family-owned farmers throughout the country. They will also establish connections with communities in the country that is 3.9 million.

Apple picking

A similar project was also conducted around forty Studenac employees picked five tonnes of apples in the family-run orchard on an all-day excursion close to in the Slavonian city of Valpovo at the end of September.

“This is a win-win situation for Studenac and our community. The employees have the chance to build relationships outside of working hours, and close to nature. We assist families who are in search of seasonal employees,” Mesinovic said.

As with the purchasing program the program will be extended to encompass the entire country of Croatia. The workers were joined by Valpovo by Ekoznalci, Studenac mascots for educational purposes for children in the field of environmental science. Studenac’s One Step closer to Community program also provides the donation of more than EUR70,000 to the NGOs that operate across Croatia and the gift of an annual amount of soap for hand to 63 schools across the country, a total of 60, 000 Liters.

For more information:

Nathaniel Espino

Tel: +48 696 041 731

Email: nathaniel.espino@aldgate.pl