Safiye Yılmaz establishes local food brand in Osmancık

Safiye Yılmaz, a 42-year-old resident of the Osmancık district in Çorum, has transformed a hobby into a registered brand named ‘Safiye’nin Yöresel Ürünleri’. The business began four years ago when Yılmaz purchased 3.5 acres of land to cultivate vegetables like tomatoes and eggplants.

After expanding her production to include the ‘Osmancık karası’ grapes and vine leaves found on her land, she learned to make traditional ‘ak pekmez’ (white molasses) from her mother. Supported by her daughters and daughter-in-law, Yılmaz has diversified her offerings to include noodles (erişte), tarhana, rosehip, and tomato paste.

Initially sharing her products with neighbors and through social media, the increasing demand led her to move from local village markets to establishing a formal brand for her handmade, natural products.