Panafresh Micro Herbs – Our Story

P&A Pan are second-generation farmers who moved from Greece to Australia in 1955. Vange’s father, known as Panagiotis Panagiotidis moved to Perth and Vange’s mother, Athina, arrived 5 years later. Panagiotis was unable to speak a word of English and relied on an uncle and other friends who lived in the area, for work. His name was shortened to ‘Peter Pan’. After saving some money they bought their first property in the Carabooda area and when they moved into the house, it was a tin roof with plastered hessian bags for walls. Life was hard; they hand-picked their peas and had no money for irrigation.

The Panagiotidis family have been recently recognised as pioneers of the City of Wanneroo for being in the area for over 50 years.

Panagiotis later produced tomatoes, rockmelons, iceberg lettuce, cabbage and cauliflowers. In 1992 baby leaf lettuce was produced, when Vange joined the family business.

Today, the family grows baby leaf lettuce, which is machine harvested, as well as spinach, Chinese herbs, tatsoi, mizuna and rocket; employing seasonal workers to assist with picking & packing and delivering to market and processing.

Vange’s newest venture is biodegradable micro herbs, living herbs and succulents. These are grown in coconut husk pots. with the goal of using less water and offering high quality, sustainable produce and reducing the impact of single-use plastic on the environment.

The future vision for Panafresh is to produce healthy, sustainable produce, with minimal impact on the environment.