"We are preparing the land for transplanting our native tomatoes so that we can start cultivating in April, following the usual crop rotation cycle to maintain soil fertility," says Marianna D'Auria, a young agricultural entrepreneur and owner of the Italian processing company Conserve Dama.
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"Thanks to the generations who preceded me, and who were the keepers of ancient and invaluable agricultural techniques, I can today work on the hill of the Reggia di Quisisana in a closed-loop supply chain, from planting to processing. Even the names given to the ecotypes of cherry tomatoes are those of the locals, attributed by the local producers themselves, such as Lampadina, Pendolino, which have been traditionally grown in this area for centuries."
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The company was founded in 2015, specializing in the cultivation of tomatoes, and later expanded to include the processing of artisan preserves. The land, rich in biodiversity, is located on the hill of Quisisana, just above the town of Castellammare di Stabia, a place known for its healthy climate and panoramic view over the Gulf of Naples. At the beginning of the last century, Marianna's grandfather sold what he grew, and when there was an overproduction of, say, tomatoes, he processed them and sold them in bottles, as was the tradition.
"Of course," Marianna D'Auria recalls today. "Back then, everything was sold without labels; everything was simpler. In 2015, with the support of my father and the experience of my grandfather Carmine, we created the Conserve DAMA brand."
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Everything is in harmony on the farm: fruit trees, other vegetables, the soil is not chemically treated and is weeded only by hand, as chemical additives and pesticides are banned. The cherry tomatoes grown on the hills are produced without irrigation, with a low yield but with a high taste, thanks to the historically rich soil. On the terraces, the rows of cherry tomatoes are neatly arranged, with the typical chestnut poles serving as supports for the plants, and annual crop rotation is a must. The agricultural landscape has thus taken on the typical colorful connotation of many small productions, as opposed to the intensive and standardized cultivation of monocultures.
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In addition to tomatoes, the farm produces organic vegetables in the open field and seasonal jams and marmalades, owing to the lush orchards of apricot, plum, orange, mandarin, and lemon trees on the Quisisana hill.
In the confectionery line, the extra lemon marmalade is very popular, available in a 240 g format, vacuum-processed without the addition of pectin, to which very thin citrus peels are added. Among the most popular flavors there are also other references to healthy fruits, processed without added sugar, which in the past were aimed at a niche of consumers, while today they meet a strong demand from more conscious consumers.
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"In order to promote the territory," concludes Marianna D'Auria, "we want to set up educational courses for students to increase their understanding of sustainable production, which is good for people's health and for the environment. Inside the company they will be able to see different types of fresh fruit and vegetables. The same is true for visitors, as many tourists visit the Archaeological Museum of Stabia. In addition to tomatoes, you can buy organic vegetables, jams, and marmalades in season. Our products are appreciated both by our loyal historical customers and through online sales, as well as through the channels of gourmet pizzerias, starred restaurants, and all food-related activities that pay close attention to quality and the production chain. We have also planted peach trees from which, once in production, we will obtain artisan peaches preserved in syrup."
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For more information:
Conserve Dama
Reggia di Quisisana
80053 Castellammare di Stabia (NA) - Italy
+39 331 735 6694
info@ pomodama.it
www.pomodama.it