"We have diversified our production from classic fruit jams and marmalades, whereas savory processed products have allowed us to grow and increase turnover, considering that there is a greater market demand. Small productions certified in terms of traceability and food safety that use artisanal processes, where care starts already from the production in the field," says Enzo Benincasa, social worker in charge of the processing department at Cooperativa Sociale Stalker.
The cooperative was founded in Campania in 2006 by 12 people who, in previous years, had gone through mental health services to whom Stalker gave the opportunity to inhabit their own space and manage their time independently, until they felt the need to work and earn, to feel useful and capable. That is, no longer just psychiatric patients. This wonderful adventure was born from the availability of a farm in Eboli, Improsta, managed by the Campania Region, which granted the availability of a laboratory and part of its 130 hectares of land. A significant investment by the partners gave birth to a business that processes fruit into jams, extra jams and juices, as well as tomatoes into preserves. All references are produced in an artisanal way, with raw materials from organic farming.
Pellecchiella's Extra Apricot Jam - available in 210 ml and 550 ml sizes - is a product obtained from organic farming and processed in an artisanal way, without the addition of additives, dyes and synthetic flavorings. This niche product is excellent for breakfast, for snacks, and ideal for filling cakes and cookies.
The main strength of the production is definitely the short supply chain of identifiable productions of the territory processed from fresh at moderate temperatures, so as to maintain intact organoleptic properties, color and flavor. Among the sweet references, the flagship product is the Pellecchiella apricot, a prized native variety that, due to the smoothness of its skin and extraordinary sweetness, is the absolute best among Vesuvian varieties. This is followed by Melannurca jam, either absolute or mixed with ginger, lemon and turmeric or cinnamon, available in 246 g glass format.
Fruit processed from fresh artisanally, selected washed and peeled, depending on the references s reduced to a puree, then concentrated in a vacuum, so that the watery part evaporates without bringing the fruit to temperatures of 100 degrees.
"At the moment," explains Enzo Benincasa, "our flagship product is dried tomato pâté, which is ideal for preparing bruschetta, dressing spaghetti aglio e olio or enriching a tomato sauce. It is an item in great demand by families, who have booked it already at the production stage, so that we can cope with the expense of purchasing the raw material."
"The products are processed," concludes Nicola Merola, "by young people who have emotional, economic-social fragility or debts with the justice system and who carry out restorative programs supported by work-based rehabilitation projects in the cooperative. For all of us, commitment to social work is one of the most important aspects, commitment as a summary of human and labor growth. Every day the work in our transformation workshop turns into a miracle of human and labor growth. We are growing, but it is not only the business that interests us. Most importantly, the magic of life that, by this path of renewal, turns us into better people. I mean, there is a big difference between feeling alone among wolves and feeling part of a solitary project."
