We are a consortium (not a Limited Company and not even to mention, a multinational company) that produces over 400,000 tons of apples in the Non and Sole Valleys. A big family of over 4000 families of member-farmers, divided into 16 cooperatives, that live and cultivate apple-farms in the Noce Valleys (Non and Sole Valleys). These families of farmers are the seal of quality and sustainability of our fruit. Apples are not like wine, cheese, or other food industries.
An apple must be good straight from the tree, and can’t become good in any other way. The taste and crunchiness of our apples starts in our orchards, thanks to the care and work of our family-farms. Melinda consortium takes care of the organization and management of all the post-picking steps (stocking, refrigerated storage, selection, packaging, distribution, promotion, sale, administration, purchasing, human resources…).
The families of producers are the assurance of quality and sustainability of our fruits. The apples are not like wine or cheese or any other food with an industrial step.
An apple is either picked good from the tree or it will never become good again. The goodness of Melinda apples is born exclusively in the orchards, by the constant commitment of farmers’ families.
The Melinda Consortium has the task of organising and managing all post-harvest activities (storage, refrigeration, selection, packaging, distribution, promotion, sales, administration, purchasing, HR management, etc.).
“The Melinda Consortium was born in 1989,” says Seppi, ” the result of a long journey, not without heated discussions, that has led many individual farmers, or in some cases small cooperatives that compete with each other, to work together in order to promote a product with truly uncommon qualities. After all, the consumers have always recognised that our apples are good. “So good that many used to copy us and claim to be from Non Valley, when it wasn’t true. That is why we needed a brand and we had the brilliant idea of the name Melinda, easy to remember and associated to quality and cleanliness’. Today Melinda is a well-known and appreciated reality worldwide, but we cannot sit on our laurels: ‘The danger comes from an oversupply from new countries developing apple production: We are reacting by increasing our offer with new products, appealing apples that satisfy new market trends; by consolidating Melinda’s commitment to sustainability, by adopting eco-friendly cultivation and conservation methods ( first of all the Ipogeum Warehouse); acquiring AD Chini, a leader in the processed fruit products business, and improving its offer with new technologies capable of conserving the 100% naturalness of products. Once again we stand out for quality, with a focus on supporting the interests of every single farmer and member,‘ concludes the President.
The farmers of Non and Sole Valleys tell us their passions, emotions, love and daily commitment to give you always the best.