The Parish of Prazeres in Calheta has developed a successful range of organic products.
The Quinta Pedagógica dos Prazeres is known for its beauty, peacefulness and the many animals that attract all passers-by. This project of the parish of Prazeres dates back to its inauguration in October 2000 and features several initiatives: an art gallery, a set station for the treatment of animals and a tea house.
With the help of parish goers, the farm has increased its range of organic products for sale in an attempt to provide sustainability for the entire project.
Teas, infusions, jams, fibres, cider vinegars, honey, liqueurs and spirits are some of the products available for purchase on site. Father Rui Sousa, one of the members responsible for the project, explained to Essential that is was clear that people were going to the farm «solely with the view of purchasing our organic products, especially tourists. ».
The quinta features a garden equipped with a greenhouse and solar panels and initiated its line of products with a selection of jams «using old and traditional recipes in order not to lose them».
The quinta does not only live off of its own produce. At the farm, they purchase apples and other fruits that are past their “sell-by date” and would otherwise go to waste from local producers with the view of making, i.e. cider vinegar, one of the most popular products of the quinta pedagógica. According to Rui Sousa, this is a means of preventing fruit «to go to waste».
The cider and passion fruit vinegars won first prize at the first edition of the National Wine Vinegars and Other Wines Contest.
When asked about the most popular products and those mostly purchased by customers, Rui Sousa mentions the «Madeira bilberry jam and tomato tea».
The quinta is currently looking to take a step further. «Some of the products are already available for purchase in several shops in Funchal and plans are already in place to market the products outside of Madeira». All products can be purchased at the quinta on a daily basis.
