The delegate of the Government in Cantabria, Eugenia Gómez de Diego, visited the concierge Ana María, located in Santoña, to congratulate the family company for having been awarded the first prize in the category of 'Excellence to Innovation in Fishing or Aquaculture Activity' in the XV edition of the Innovation Excellence Awards for Rural Women, awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
During his visit, Gómez de Diego highlighted the value of the project 'Galería del Arte de la Anchoa', with which Conservas Ana María achieved this recognition. The delegate stressed that this initiative, inaugurated in 2023, “not only places value on the artisanal process of making anchovy, but is also an example of how innovation can contribute to dynamizing the social and economic fabric.” In addition, he recalled that the project was financed with funds from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), managed by the Coastal Action Group of Cantabria.
The delegate of the Government has also valued the Cantabrian canning sector, which, she said, "stands out for its excellence and is a fundamental pillar in the local economy, generating about 2,000 jobs in its environment, of which 90 percent are occupied by women." In this sense, he added that "the work of the conserveras not only contributes to economic development, but is also an important tool of promotion for our Autonomous Community at national and international level."
Conservas Ana María has distinguished itself in recent years for its commitment to innovation in the canning industry, a path that has led them to position themselves as references in the sector. The 'Anchovy Art Gallery' offers visitors a complete sensory experience, in which they can get to know the production process of the Anchovy of Santoña up close.
The awards ceremony will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, October 15, coinciding with the celebration of International Rural Women’s Day. The awards are intended to recognize women-led projects that foster innovation in rural areas, highlighting their role in sustainability and economic diversification.