ABOUT US

ABOUT US

ABOUT US | HISTORY | TERRITORY | ETHICS AND SUSTAINABILITY | CERTIFICATIONS

About Us

OLMA – Tuscan Association of Olive Growers is a cooperative founded in 1969 that now brings together over 1,000 members, making it one of the most important organizations in the olive sector in Tuscany.

The cooperative was established with the goal of promoting the work of local producers, bringing together even small-scale operations and integrating them into an organized and competitive system. Processing is carried out on a batch-by-batch basis, ensuring traceability, transparency, and full recognition of each member’s product.

In addition to its oil mill operations, OLMA offers a comprehensive range of services: agronomic assistance, olive transport and milling, storage via tanker rental, filtering and certification of extra virgin olive oil, and even private-label packaging.

Today, OLMA is one of the region’s leading mills, processing over 50,000 quintals of olives annually, and is the top Tuscan producer in terms of the use of the Tuscan PGI seal.

History

Historical Roots

OLMA’s roots run deep in the Tuscan landscape and olive-growing tradition. The cooperative was founded in 1969 around the Madonnino oil mill, which has long been a hub for olive processing in the region. From the very beginning, despite operating on a small scale, OLMA distinguished itself by its ability to bring together local producers and add value to a widespread and fragmented production.

As early as the 1970s, the introduction of technologies such as kneading machines marked a first step toward a qualitative evolution. This made it possible to produce an oil with a more intense sensory profile, characterized by bitter and spicy notes, at a time when the market was still heavily tied to traditional methods using wooden presses and more delicate flavors. A choice that was ahead of its time and helped define the cooperative’s production identity.

The Arrival of Massimo Felice Neri
A turning point in OLMA’s history came in 1980 with the arrival of Massimo Felice Neri. During a difficult period that could have spelled the end of the cooperative, Neri launched a revitalization effort based on vision, determination, and managerial skill. Thanks to his contributions, OLMA was able to consolidate its position and lay the groundwork for its growth in the years that followed.

The Current Filippi Presidecy
In recent years, under the leadership of President Fabrizio Filippi, the cooperative has embarked on a new growth path focused on continuous quality improvement and strengthening its market position. This translates not only into an ever-increasing focus on production but also into the development of new product lines and the enhancement of the brand’s identity.

Territory

Maremma, our home

The Maremma olive-growing region is the result of the interplay between the natural environment, climate, and agricultural traditions typical of the Maremma, particularly in the Province of Grosseto (the largest province in Tuscany in terms of agricultural land). Here, olive groves are often found on gentle hills with well-drained soil, allowing the trees to grow healthily. The Mediterranean climate, with hot, sunny summers and generally mild winters thanks to the proximity of the Tyrrhenian Sea, promotes the even ripening of the olives.

In this environment, traditional varieties such as Frantoio, Leccino, and Moraiolo are cultivated, having adapted to these conditions over centuries. The result is an extra virgin olive oil with a balanced flavor, featuring vegetal aromas and a pleasant, slightly bitter and spicy note—characteristics typical of Tuscan oils. The flat arable lands, typical of the region and once used for herbaceous crops, are gradually being transformed into new specialized olive groves, both intensive and super-intensive.

Ethics

Rooted in the wisdom of our ancestors, with an eye toward future generations: this is the foundation of our work, which translates into a commitment to the environment, the well-being of people, the quality of our oil, and the promotion of our region.

At OL.MA, we actively support a network of over 1,000 Tuscan olive growers, sharing our knowledge and experience: together, we can see the fruit of our commitment transformed into a product of Made in Italy excellence.

We strictly adhere to the Production Regulations of the Consortium for the Protection of Tuscan PGI Extra Virgin Olive Oil, promoting fair and respectful conduct toward our members and taking daily care of the women and men who pour their efforts and passion into producing this precious, high-quality, and healthy oil.

Sustainability

Extra virgin olive oil is a natural and sustainable product through and through. After the oil is extracted by pressing the olives, the pomace is produced, which we send to a biomass plant located just a few kilometers from the mill.

From the olive pomace, using exclusively mechanical processes, we extract olive pits—a natural, eco-friendly, and odorless product—which are used as fuel to power our plant’s boiler, fully respecting the environment and the local area. The olive pomace, once the pits have been removed, is then used in the biomass plant to generate biomethane.

The water used in the mill’s processing, separated from the oil, is sent to external storage tanks for fertigation.

Certifications