Gümüldür and Özdere, two coastal towns in the Menderes district of İzmir, represent a perfect union of nature and culture with their fertile lands and a 43-kilometer shoreline infused with the scent of citrus. This region enchants not only with the blue of the sea but also with the vivid colors and fragrances of orange and mandarin trees that bloom throughout the year.
With the opening of İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport in 1987, the area began to open up to the outside world through rapid development in marine tourism, while also experiencing a transformation in traditional agricultural practices through modernization in the farming sector. This dual development has made Gümüldür and Özdere not only a tourism destination but also a center of innovative agricultural development. Menderes is the closest tourist destination to the airport. Additionally, accommodation facilities in this region account for 20% of all tourism accommodations in İzmir.
Located on the fertile lands of the Aegean, where the scent of orange blossoms meets the salty sea breeze, Gümüldür and Özdere are unique coastal towns that offer both the generosity of nature and the vibrancy of cultural heritage. This region is not only known for its sparkling mandarin orchards but also for the stories of hands that have cultivated the land for centuries.
It is to keep this very spirit alive that the Turuncu Eller Agricultural Development Cooperative was born—proving to the world that sustainable development must start at the local level by empowering women as producers.
Founded in 2019 by ten entrepreneurial women—retirees and homemakers—with no initial capital, the cooperative began by processing surplus mandarins with a zero-waste philosophy, transforming them into value-added products. The women of the cooperative marketed these goods under the brand GÜMÖZ, a name derived from the combination of Gümüldür and Özdere in the Menderes district.
Beyond continuing organic mandarin production using environmentally friendly methods, the cooperative has transformed this precious fruit into products such as mandarin jam, mandarin dessert, mandarin tahini halva, mandarin flour, dried mandarins, mandarin vinegar, mandarin and turmeric traditional pasta, mandarin cologne, and mandarin-flavored Turkish delight—blending traditional knowledge with modern marketing strategies. Other offerings include artichoke traditional pasta, artichoke vinegar, and olive leaf vinegar.
Each drop of these products carries the sun of the Aegean, and each touch reflects the labor of women. They do more than create economic value—they carry forward core values such as respect for the land, loyalty to culture, and social solidarity.
Turuncu Eller has initiated a true social transformation by ensuring that women in the region not only participate in production but also have a voice in decision-making processes. This model—aligned with the rhythms of nature and mindful of both people and the environment—stands out as an inspiring and honorable success story, supporting environmental sustainability and strengthening women's leadership in rural areas.
Turuncu Eller, as the first women's cooperative processing mandarins in the region, stands out as the only initiative with such courage. Despite many prejudices at the beginning, achieving this success by obtaining value-added products from 9 tons of waste in 6 years can be considered a miracle.
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