The European information and promotion campaign was presented to representatives of the Spanish market, highlighting the importance of eating fresh fruit as part of the daily diet.
The press event of the EU co-funded programme SNACK SMART took place successfully on 6 October 2026 at the Casa de las Artes hotel, a member of the Meliá Collection, in Madrid.
The event brought together representatives of the fresh fruit and vegetable trade and distribution, importers, journalists and agri-food professionals, offering an opportunity to present the campaign and to exchange views on today’s consumer habits and on the role of European fresh fruit in a balanced diet.
The presentation focused on the five European fruits promoted by the programme – peaches, nectarines, pears, plums and apricots – and on the importance of making fruit a regular part of everyday life through simple and practical dietary choices.
The presentation of the SNACK SMART programme
The keynote speaker of the event was Mr Konstantinos Malakos, President of the Agricultural Cooperative “Froutopigi” of Platanoulia, who presented the philosophy, the objectives and the main activities of SNACK SMART in the markets of Germany and Spain.
In his presentation, he spoke about the importance of the quality of European fresh fruit and about the need to improve consumer information on its place in a balanced and varied dietary pattern.
He also presented the Agricultural Cooperative “Froutopigi” of Platanoulia and its activity in the production and marketing of fresh fruit, highlighting the contribution of organised agricultural cooperatives to the European agri-food chain.
Institutional presence and interest from the Spanish market
The event was honoured by the presence of Mr Pantelis Gkasios, Head of the Office of Economic and Commercial Affairs of the Embassy of Greece in Madrid, who addressed the guests.
The participation of representatives of the Embassy, together with the presence of professionals of the Spanish market and representatives of the media, underlined the importance of communication and cooperation in promoting European agri-food products.
The evening was also an opportunity for business contacts and discussions on European fresh fruit production, product quality and the possibilities for improving consumer information in the Spanish market.
About SNACK SMART
SNACK SMART is a three-year information and promotion programme co-funded by the European Union, implemented in the markets of Germany and Spain.
Focusing on peaches, nectarines, pears, plums and apricots, the campaign aims to encourage the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables, presenting fruit as an easy and tasty choice for the daily diet.
The programme’s main message is linked to the official dietary recommendations in the two target countries. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends consuming at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day (Germany: German Nutrition Society (DGE), Gut essen und trinken – DGE-Empfehlungen (“Eat and drink well – the DGE recommendations”)), while the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) also recommends at least five portions a day, including two to three portions of fruit (Spain: Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN), Recomendaciones dietéticas saludables y sostenibles (“Healthy and sustainable dietary recommendations”)).
To achieve its objectives, SNACK SMART includes a comprehensive programme of communication and promotion activities, such as participation in international trade fairs, press events, media publications, digital campaigns, information material and promotional activities at points of sale.
Through these initiatives, the programme seeks to raise the profile of European fresh fruit and to encourage consumers to include it more often in their daily food choices.
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