During the recent years, efforts have been made for the development of agrotourism in Greek villages. Women's cooperatives in Greece are ever growing institutions, and operate as a woman inspiring business model. “Dryades” is the name of Women's Agricultural Cooperative which was founded in Varvara village by local housewives. Traditional pastries, spoon sweets and jams are the most known achievements" produced with only fresh, local, raw materials. Since many years, "Dryades" have joined their forces to create a cultural institution which promotes the culinary tradition of Varvara and mountainous Chalkidice. The village is literally surrounded by 90.000 acres of green and it is also famous for the two waterfalls located in the forest. The patroness Aghia Varvara -St. Barbara or according to local myth a homonymous queen are responsible for place’s name.
The Women's Agricultural Cooperative Traditional Products “Dryades”, the first organized in Chalcidice, today enumerates 14 housewives. The initial founding members were 30. The women participation incentives for the cooperation were mainly the contribution to promote and develop the regions' traditional and gastronomical culture as well as the opportunity of extra individual income. The triggering event of the organization’ starting point was a sponsored seminar that was held in the region about the local products trade. The Community of Varvara gave them the old elementary school, a stone building in the center of the village, which functioned as a workshop for many years.
