Paraskevi Nikodimou is a young mother of two children, nutritionist, and entrepreneur who has turned her love of nature and nutrition into her work. As owner of “The Kretan” & “Panic Sweets”, located in in Kyperounta village (Troodos) in Cyrpus, Nikodimou uses local fruits to make unique energy bars.
Tell us a little about yourself and how the inspiration for your company “Panic Sweets”
My journey is connected to my love for nature and nutrition. Growing up I wanted to pursue a career in nutrition, and life brought me here, to the village of Kyperounta. While watching my children grow and seeing our family life here in in the village, I realised how important it was to me to create something from the heart of our place; something from the heart of Kyperounta. So, inspired by the natural beauty around us and healthy eating, I created Panic Sweets, a place where the freshness of local products is combined with a love for healthy living.
What is it like for a young woman, mother, and entrepreneur to live in a mountainous rural area?
Kyperounta is ideal for raising children, as their daily lives are filled with nature, clean air, and freedom. However, life as an entrepreneur here is not always easy. Things move at a slower pace; the things you want to buy are not always available or transporting them is more difficult. But the warmth of the village and the support of local producers keep me strong and determined.
Do you experience climate change in your daily life? If so, how are you trying to adapt to the warmer weather and implement changes both at home and at work?
The world around us is changing, and we cannot ignore it. Temperatures are rising, rainfall is less frequent, and I see all of this every day in my business: plants struggling to survive, strawberries with less flavour, or apples that are not as juicy as they used to be. To adapt, we try to use more environmentally friendly techniques and materials and make sure that we are doing our part for a more sustainable future.
As a nutritionist, you have also taken on the production of energy bars. What fruits do you use for the energy bars?
Kyperounta and the entire Pitsilia region are famous for their delicious fruits: We use apples, golden apples, grapes, strawberries, and berries all produced by our local farmers. I personally select the fruit with great care, because for me it is not just food, it is the health of the land and our own health. Every bar we make is full of this power of nature.
How have reduced rainfall and increased temperatures affected the quality and cost of raw materials?
Things have definitely changed. We see our fruit and its production changing, and not always for the better. The quality is not always the same, and unfortunately, this increases costs. But I can’t say that this stops me. I have learned to adapt and support local producers as much as I can, because we are all part of this chain.
Have you collaborated with the Troodos Network? Have you participated in any of the workshops that could help your business or received any training?
Yes, and it has been a truly wonderful experience. Through our collaboration with the Troodos Network, we have learned a lot about communicating and presenting our products, as well as about developing our business in the local market. They gave us valuable knowledge on how to give our products a sense of place and tradition and, above all, how to promote it.
Can you also tell us a few words about the pilot apple drying unit?
The apple drying unit is the next step in the process of utilising local products. When there is a surplus, being able to dry and preserve it for the future is a way to offer healthier products. This way, we can keep the fruit alive and useful throughout the year and help the local economy.
What actions would you like your municipality to take to protect your business and your village from the effects of climate change?
I would like to see more support for the energy upgrading of businesses, for the use of green technologies, and for supporting local producers with more resilient varieties. Prevention through education and information about the changes that are coming is also very important. It is very important that we all work together for the common good and to ensure a greener future.
