Tokat Women’s Cooperative Expands Nationwide Distribution of Geographically‑Indicated Leaf Sarma

The Yeşilırmak Women’s Cooperative, founded in Tokat about four years ago, transforms the region’s geographically‑indicated Narince salamura grape leaves into ready‑to‑eat leaf sarma. The cooperative employs 8 to 10 women each day, producing roughly 500 kg of sarma each week.

The product is shipped frozen through a cold‑chain system to cities such as Istanbul, Bodrum and other Turkish locales, where professional chefs have begun to favour it. The cooperative’s president, Asuman Özcan, says demand is rising and the group aims to extend sales to international markets, leveraging the leaf’s unique aroma and texture to promote regional cuisine and boost women’s employment.

The leaf’s geographic indication was granted by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office in 2019, adding value to the traditional food and supporting local economic development.