Psyche Organic: Revolutionizing Olive Oil with Sustainability and Community

Date: March 17, 2023
Source: Office Magazine
Author: Olivia Roper-Caldbeck
Photography: Clement Mogensen

Introduction to Psyche Organic and Founder Theophilos

Theophilos, known for his calm and distinctive presence, transitioned from a New York book publisher and community organizer to the founder of Psyche Organic, an innovative olive oil company based in Copenhagen. His journey reflects a deep commitment to sustainability, community-building, and transparency in food production.

The Psyche Organic Olive Oil Journey

• Sourcing & Production: Psyche Organic partners with a Greek olive farmer cultivating trees up to 1000 years old, using purely organic methods—free from chemicals and pesticides.
• Harvesting Process: Olives are hand-harvested each November by knocking them off branches onto tarps, then taken to an olive oil mill for washing, pit removal, and cold pressing to extract high-quality oil.
• Founder Involvement: Theophilos participates every harvest season in Greece, ensuring quality control and working closely with farmers and the mill.

From Publishing to Olive Oil

The shift began in early 2020 amid the pandemic, steering away from decades in independent publishing and art to embrace sustainable farming and ethical food production. Inspired by Japanese farmer Masanobu Fukuoka, Theophilos’ one-way ticket to Greece led him to this organic venture, eventually relocating to Copenhagen to launch Psyche Organic.

Building Community Through Olive Oil

• Psyche Organic fosters an inclusive, transparent community promoting health and wellness across diverse demographics.
• The brand serves as a hub for education about olive oil, challenging industry norms and combating market misinformation.
• Physical community activation included a temporary café residency in Copenhagen at the former Michelin-starred Relæ restaurant, blending culinary innovation with brand awareness.

Continued Community Engagement Despite No Permanent Café

• Psyche Organic operates a flagship showroom and office in Copenhagen, celebrated its first anniversary in March 2023.
• Community connection persists through events and collaborations under the Psyche Organic or Psyche Café names, extending reach beyond physical spaces.

Expansion Plans and Market Presence

• Currently active in New York (partnership with Scarr’s Pizza) and Los Angeles (Homesick Studios).
• Future goals include expansion throughout Scandinavia, northern Europe, and Asia, highlighting a strategy focused on global organic and sustainable food markets.

Unique Brand Differentiators

• Psyche Organic utilizes a proprietary eco-friendly packaging bag, unparalleled within the olive oil industry.
• The brand’s aesthetic and marketing approach channel fashion and creative industry methodologies, positioning olive oil as a lifestyle product rather than a commodity.
• Founder Theophilos integrates his background in design, photography, and creative direction to maintain a distinctive edge.

Vision for the Future

• Transparency & Integrity: Set to disrupt the notoriously corrupt olive oil industry by building a scalable, honest supply chain delivering genuine products.
• Sustainability and Community Impact: Inspired by Patagonia’s principles, the goal is to combine profitable growth with meaningful environmental and social contributions.
• Long-Term Plan: In 10-15 years, Theophilos aims to retire from day-to-day operations to establish an off-grid farm and art residency, merging his passions for food, art, and nature.

Overcoming Challenges

• A major personal hurdle was the letting go of Paradigm, his prior publishing venture and creative identity in New York—a transformative step involving the acceptance of a new life chapter focused on farming and sustainable business.
• Adjusting from the fast-paced cultural life of New York City to the more intimate, focused environment of Copenhagen required humility and adaptability.

Conclusion

Psyche Organic exemplifies a new wave of sustainable entrepreneurs redefining food industries through transparency, community engagement, and cross-disciplinary creativity. Theophilos and his team offer a replicable blueprint for ethical olive oil production that prioritizes quality, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship — setting a notable precedent in organic food markets worldwide.

For readers interested in sustainable products and food transparency, Psyche Organic stands as a must-watch brand innovating beyond the traditional boundaries of agriculture and retail.

Design Delight Studio curates high-impact, authoritative insights into sustainable and organic product trends, helping conscious consumers and innovative brands stay ahead in a fast-evolving green economy.