Are you aware that Palestinian farmers have been cultivating their lands for 1000’s of years and proceed to take motion, whatever the challenges of farming under illegal occupation?
Whether or not or not it’s peppery olive oil, fudgy Medjoul dates, sweet crunchy almonds, zesty za’atar, smoky freekeh or nutty maftoul, these aren’t passing meals tendencies, nevertheless time honoured traditions. And Zaytoun are dedicated to bringing you the proper from Palestine’s fertile groves and fields, all whereas serving to you cultivate solidarity and help from all through the globe.
Who’re Zaytoun?
Zaytoun is a social enterprise impressed by a love of Palestinian custom, communities and delicacies. They exist to help Palestinian farmers by means of truthful commerce barely than assist, with 100% of earnings reinvested in course of delivering this mission.
Olive promote premium prime quality merchandise which is perhaps ethically sourced, sustainably grown and sourced from farmers in Palestine who the employees go to usually. In doing so, they help Palestinian farming communities going by means of the challenges of illegal Israeli occupation and settlement by means of commerce. Their merchandise are harvested and prepared by hand; a testament every to the proud heritage and culinary traditions of the Palestinian people, and the distinctive prime quality of Palestinian produce.
The beginnings
Zaytoun was launched in 2004 in response to drastic Israeli restrictions on Palestinian rights to journey, commerce and entry their lands and livelihoods. On their return from Palestine, they bought 200 bottles of olive oil, inviting household and buddies to buy a case. The thought unfold quickly amongst Palestinian solidarity networks, highlighting the need for one factor tangible and sustained to help Palestinians, that every supported present activism and reached previous it. A simple purchase forged a direct connection to Palestinian farming communities; supporting their livelihoods whereas carrying an even bigger message in a bottle – the story of the people of Palestine, their love for his or her lands and the rich heritage they carry and are happy to share with us.
We’re nonetheless significantly stunned by the tastes and flavour of Palestinian meals, and the expertise of the farming communities who, yr after yr, share their harvests with us. Their love of fantastic meals and one of the simplest ways it has of bringing people collectively, evokes and delights us as lots as ever.
Olive in the intervening time
After starting with olive oil, Zaytoun now promote various merchandise grown by utterly completely different farming communities in Palestine. These merchandise are moreover now extensively accessible from extreme avenue retailers, from delicatessens to Fairtrade retailers and wholefood retailers. Their employees has grown, alongside a rising board with a wealth of experience and backgrounds in social enterprise, Fairtrade and Palestinian solidarity.
They’re proud to work with a wide range of Palestinian suppliers, with whom they’ve longstanding relationships constructed up over frequent visits to farms, factories and providers. A number of of those embrace:
Canaan Sincere Commerce
Canaan works with over 2000 artisan family farms spanned all through 52 utterly completely different villages to sustainably provide olive oil, almonds, freekeh and maftoul amongst completely different merchandise. Primarily based in Jenin, northern Palestine, Zaytoun have been working with Canaan since 2006.
Nablus Cleansing cleaning soap Agency
Zaytoun’s olive oil soaps are made by The Nablus Cleansing cleaning soap Agency which was primarily based in 1971 by the Tbeleh family who’ve been making cleansing cleaning soap for over 400 years.
Nakheel Palestine
Nakheel Palestine is a regional chief in rising, packing, and exporting the most effective prime quality Palestinian Medjoul dates. The company, beforehand named MADICO, grew out of a robust dedication to place cash into the Palestinian agricultural sector, to protect Palestinian land and introduce high-quality Palestinian merchandise into native and worldwide markets. They have been suppling Zaytoun with Medjoul dates from Jericho since 2011.
Palestine Sincere Commerce Affiliation
The Palestine Sincere Commerce Affiliation (PFTA) is the most important truthful commerce producers union in Palestine, with over 1400 small-scale Palestinian farmers joined in truthful commerce collectives and cooperatives all through the nation. Their cooperatives present Zaytoun, by means of Canaan Sincere Commerce, and Zaytoun help their Timber for Life tree planting scheme.
Palestine Gardens
Palestine Gardens offers Zaytoun with succulent Medjoul dates from growers inside the Jordan Valley. Its intention is to increase the share of Palestinian agricultural product in world markets. Zaytoun have been working with Palestine Gardens since 2013.
Sindyanna
Sindyanlnawhich offers Zaytoun’s zesty za’atar, works with Palestinian producers dwelling in Israel, who face discrimination and unequal entry to sources.
West Monetary establishment Salt Agency
The West Monetary establishment Salt Agency is the one Palestinian Ineffective Sea Salt producer. Based mostly in 1960, it offers Zaytoun with 100% pure tub salt and is located on the west monetary establishment of the Ineffective Sea.
Visiting Palestine
Zaytoun moreover coordinate visits to Palestine, celebrating the rich cultural and culinary heritage whereas offering notion into the social and cultural panorama. It moreover offers people the chance to meet among the many producer communities who present their merchandise, from Nablus soap-makers to olive farmers in Jenin.
Lodging is usually in native lodging or with farmers’ households. Visitors have the prospect to witness first-hand the each day difficulties of life under occupation, however moreover participate inside the richness of Palestinian lives which transcend victimhood and political strife. Expereinces can embrace serving to convey dwelling the dear olive harvest whereas offering help and solidarity, or touring the kitchens and markets of Palestine to know additional in regards to the meals custom
Amid my frantic life, cluttered with unimportant niggles, I felt humbled by the sluggish, quiet technique by means of which our Palestinian friends get on with atypical life, resist the occupation and keep defiant.
Be taught additional about visits proper right here
Strategies to level out help
There are a selection of strategies to get entangled and current help from afar, along with:
Buy Palestinian
Buy from Zaytoun, supporting producers and spreading the phrase to your group. It’s possible you’ll as effectively encourage your native retailers and cafes to stock Zaytoun merchandise, which might be discovered from a wide range of wholesalers. In case you run a retailer or small enterprise, you possibly can too develop right into a stockist your self.
Put together dinner Palestinian meals
Why not invite your mates over and put together dinner them a Palestinian meal? In case you’re undecided what to arrange dinner, attempt Zaytoun’s recipesbuy a Palestinian cookbookand observe Zaytoun on social media for additional inspiration.
Plant a tree
Olive timber are an necessary provide of income for small-scale farmers inside the West Monetary establishment. Planting timber by means of the Palestine Sincere Commerce Affiliation affords a chance to take constructive movement, along with being a thoughtful reward for seasonal and non secular celebrations.
Help Zaytoun’s campaigns
Sign as a lot as Zaytoun’s publication to be the first to look out out about new campaigns. As well as they perform advertising and marketing marketing campaign info on our weblog and social media.
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