“FIOI”
Federazione Italiana Olivicoltori Indipendenti
“Italian Federation of Independent Olive Growers”
In Venice where I am blessed to live, FIOI stands for “Lads” or “Guys” the informal way to address a group of friends. It is an abbreviation of the Italian word “Figlioli” or sons. In other words it is a good company! And we are thankfully happy of having been allowed to become one of the Gang!
So what is all the fuss about?
FIOI is an association of high-level, small and medium-sized artisanal producers of Italian extra-virgin olive oil, who grow their own olives and/or extract quality oils. The association’s aim is to oversee and safeguard the quality of artisanal oils and to present the complexity and diversity of Italy’s olive production through its many regions. These independent specialists, some with their own artisanal mills, only produce extra virgin olive oil from native Italian varieties. They can therefore guarantee the authenticity and the characters of their oils. They control every step of the process to ensure that only the finest oils are produced.
Quality is the outcome of a process, and the process is in the heart and in the heads of our Gang; an obsession!
FIOI is an independent body managed by the growers themselves. Not connected to any form of industrial oil production, refining, trading or bottling. The focus is on preserving and protecting the farmland and olive groves that produce the olives, and on mastering and furthering the processes that turn olives into extra virgin oil. Artisanal extra virgin olive oils are chemically, organoleptically and spiritually different from the industrially produced and distributed surrogates, that populate supermarket chains. Members of FIOI are proud to express themselves in a diversity of excellent oils of unique character and taste, each one a perfect match for its twin soul food: Up to you to discover your favourite pairings!
Italy boasts the largest olive-growing heritage in the world, with over 580 cultivars and a rich diversity of soils and microclimates throughout the country. Olive oil is one of Italy’s greatest natural assets, appreciated at home and across the globe, but threatened by industrial lobbies, greed, blindness and short-termism. FIOI is committed to nurturing this heritage and to preserve the culture of Italian olive-growing – with its many varieties – in all its aspects. We aim to spread awareness, and to share this natural treasure across the world.
Click me to search our member list!
An independent association made up of skilled artisans, that have a true talent in growing olives sustainably, and an infinite passion for extracting from them artisanal high quality olive oil, was long due in the Italian olive oil scene.
One must never forget that Italy is the third olive oil producer in the world, and at the same time, the main international exporter. Because of this imbalance between trading and farming, many associations in the olive oil universe, cherish and protect interests that have little to do with olive farming, skilful extraction, quality and sustainability. Add on the political connotation of anything in Italy and draw your own conclusions!
Olea Prilis is an ongoing effort to provide you with an authentic hand crafted product that comes from a recognized source, with measurable quality and that is definitely scarce.
GIFT BOX “PRESTIGE WHITE”
Box containing four 0.5 lt. tins of Toscano Organic EVOO 4×500 ml
Toscano Organic extra-virgin olive oil from the 2022 harvest.
Produced using a combination of various olives from our trees of the Frantoio, Moraiolo, Pendolino and Leccino, Maurino and Leccio del Corno cultivars.
A fresh fruity EVOO that expresses all the excellence of our work and the nutritional virtues of the fruits of our olive trees.
€96.15
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