Ever found your palette wandering into the realms of Grecian Gastronomy? We did, and that is why we have to share our Hellenic Farms experience with you! We wanted to try out the incredible selection that they offer, and as excited as we were to dive into it all, we had no idea what we were getting into!
How is it possible to find so many delicious items in one place? Go to a source that knows where its goods are coming from. You can tell the difference between shopping your local mainstream market, and when you take the time to seek out products that are made and selected with love, attention, care and compassion.
That is what we found at Hellenic Farms, and so much more! We are so in love with the olive oils, especially LIA, it's a must-try! The olives, oh my goodness... We dare you to try not to eat the whole jar full in one sitting! Too tempting, truly. We adore the Fig Salamis because they are such a creative concept, what a fascinating take on salami, as a vegan, I am giving it two thumbs up and five stars! And let's just talk about the teas for a moment... Lemon Verbena, with an aroma that will permeate an entire room. It's not possible to be stressed while sipping this smooth, semi-sweet and refreshing beverage.
So, of course we had to take a peek behind the scenes and do a Q+A with the Founder of Hellenic Farms, Vivianna Karamanis, from Athens, Greece + New Jersey, USA. After you enjoy the Q+A, please be sure to click here to check out our new YouTube video inspired by our time with Hellenic Farms! Don't forget to Subscribe + Enjoy 20% Off Your Hellenic Farms Purchase w/code: VIBES20
Inspired Living Q+A:
Q: What inspired you to create Hellenic Farms?
A: I followed my heart to Greece back in 2011. There was a financial crisis at the time, so
finding work was a challenge, to say the least! I decided to become the perfect “housewife” and
would explore the local gourmet store and farmer’s market for yummy ingredients to use to
cook. What I found was exceptional quality ingredients in very attractive packaging! I had never
found such Greek products in the US market. As a family we would have my grandparents
send us tins of olive oil, honey, olives, capers and more. To be honest I found it hard to find
Greek products on the shelves of the local supermarkets in the USA, unless you went to
Astoria, so that is where the story of Hellenic Farms began. I decided that I was going to “re-
introduce” the USA market to real Greek gourmet!
Q: What is the Mission + Vision Of Hellenic Farms?
A: My mission, as mentioned above, is to reintroduce the American table to Hellenic products of
excellence!
My vision, when people see the Hellenic Farms label they recognize quality and they know that
they are buying something that is sourced from local Greek family farms; that we are bringing
them the very best that Greece has to offer!
Q: What are a few of your personal favorites that Hellenic Farms has to offer?
A: Wow, that is a tough one because I try everything before I add it to our catalog and so if I
don’t like it, then it does not make the cut, haha! That being said, some of my favorites are LIA extra
virgin olive oil, Daphnis and Chloe Aegean Isle Oregano, the Tomato + Pepper Dip by Navarino
Icons, Yiayia and Friends Graviera Cheese Rusks and the Fig Salami w/ Almonds + Pepper.
Q: What inspired the name Hellenic Farms?
A: My husband came up with the name actually. Hellenic means Greek and farms because we
work with local farms or suppliers who work with family farms to bring you the very best.
Q: Where are some of the places that you've traveled to, and how have they inspired you?
A: I have found and continue to find all my inspiration in Greece. My biggest inspiration were
my grandparents, both maternal and paternal, who were local mastic farmers and had their own
land where they harvested their olives, tomatoes for sauce, oregano, mountain tea and so much
more. What is amazing about Greece is you find something delicious on every island or in the
mainland. For instance, Mastiha on the island of Chios, tomatoes on the island of Santorini,
olive oil on the island of Crete, caper spread on the island of Sifnos. It is a foodie’s heaven!
Q: Do you have a health regiment? If so, what is it and how do you stay consistent?
A: I do not. I try to stick to the Mediterranean diet, but it has been challenging. Whenever I am
hungry and don’t feel like cooking or ordering, I always resort to rusks, olive oil, olives,
tomatoes, and some cheese for dinner. I have also been pregnant two times in the last 2 years,
so my cravings have not really allowed me to follow a regiment.
Q: What are some of your favorite foods to eat, and do you enjoy cooking?
A: I loooove cooking!! I have not had as much time lately with two babies, one 15 months and
the other 3 months old, but I do love it and miss it! I don’t really have favorite foods and my
appetite is constantly changing. I always love trying new things, but I will tell you my comfort
food is Tarhana (Greek pasta) soup.
Q: What is your favorite color, and what does it make you think of?
A: Pink and bougainvillea on the Greek islands.
Q: Do you have a favorite famous chef, if so, whom?
A: Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Q: If you could dine anywhere in the world, where would it be and who would you take with you?
A: Tokyo and I wish I could take my Dad, but unfortunately we lost him in 2020. I will wait for my
girls to grow up so we can travel the world and taste all the yumminess each place has to offer.
Q: Hellenic Farms is 100% Women Owned, was that a conscious choice, or did that happen by
chance?
A: It happened by chance, but I always wanted to do something on my own. Growing up Greek-
American, expectations for females is not so high, I wanted to break that barrier. I like to think I
have accomplished that for myself.
Q: What are some of your hobbies that you do in your spare time?
A: Read and shop and try new recipes. I am now trying to lose the baby weight, so I am looking
for healthy recipes to try out when I find the time to cook.
Q: What do you envision as the future for Hellenic Farms?
A: I want to continue finding unique Greek products to share. I want to inspire Greek producers
and suppliers to keep going, to be the best, to be visionaries and inventors the way our
ancestors were I also would love to see a Hellenic Farms bodega stand in Greek restaurants
throughout the country offering diners a chance to bring home some of the ingredients they enjoyed in their meal. I think that COVID changed the way restaurants use their space and there
is a possibility for this to work.
Q: What is your favorite aroma, and what memories does it bring to mind?
A: Oregano and it reminds me of my maternal grandmother, she always had it hanging in the
garden of her village home.
Q: What impact do you think the foods we consume have on us and the world?
A: A huge impact, not only on our health, but how we feel mentally, our psychology and so
much more. In my case, when I eat well, when I get to enjoy simple and tasteful ingredients, I
feel great and satisfied.
As for the world, I am still finding it hard to wrap my head around the fact that world hunger
exists. I recently read that just 2% of Elon Musk’s wealth could solve world hunger. I am not
sure if that is true or not, but I find it unacceptable that in 2021 this is such a prevalent issue.
Q: If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and why?
A: WORLD HUNGER!! How can there be so much food waste, how can there be so much
wealth in this world, and there are families who are starving? Mothers who are not sure how
they are going to feed their children? That it has yet to be resolved is heartbreaking and
unacceptable.
Q: Who is a person you have always admired, and why do you admire them?
A: My dad, because he instilled work ethic in us and he always supported our ideas.
Q: What is your favorite season of the year, and in what ways does it inspire you?
A: Autumn. I feel like when autumn arrives the menu changes and I love that! Also, the new
harvest of a load of herbs and spices become available, early-harvest olive oil is about to kick
off, fun times in the food world!
Q: If you could offer any advice to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps what would it
be?
A: Learn it all from beginning to end. Get your hands dirty. Be fearless and when the fear kicks
in just keep telling yourself you have nothing to lose, so just go for it.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to say or share with us?
A: Just, thank you!
Thank you so much Vivianna, we loved learning more about you and the inspiration that created Hellenic Farms. We know that you will continue to do great things and inspire many. We wish you all of the best!