Positive vibes in Lebanon

If you have stopped believing in Lebanon… read on..

Every now and then, I discover new initiatives and projects being done in order to raise awareness about important issues in our society.
Problems here are too many to be counted or be solved immediately but sometimes it just takes a few positive vibes to give you hope again.

Producing in Lebanon is a major challenge, you cannot recognize how hard it is until you see it with your own eyes and hear all the results of research studies done on the subject. Selling quality products and teaching consumers about the necessity of favoring seasonal, authentic and local produces is just another story.

This why I consider the people and organizations listed below as true warriors.

SLOW FOOD BEIRUT: protecting our invaluable food heritage…

Slow Food Beirut is a Lebanese convivium and a Non Governmental Organization. It seeks to promote a good clean and fair food system.
Slow Food Beirut believes the enjoyment of excellent food and drink should be combined with efforts to save the countless traditional grains, vegetables, fruits, animal breeds and food products that are disappearing due to the prevalence of convenience food and industrial agribusiness.
Buy the book From 'Akkar to 'Amel : Lebanon's Slow Food trail

SOUK EL ARD or Earth Markets or Terra Madre….

The Earth Markets in Lebanon are part of an international network of farmers' markets, a project that started in Italy. They are direct selling markets, where every vendor is a producer who sells local and seasonal food, respecting the Slow Food principles of Good, Clean and Fair.

SOUK EL TAYEB

Souk el Tayeb is Lebanon’s first farmers market, of fresh, seasonal, traditional, natural and organic food products. A weekly market in Beirut and other Lebanese regions, gathering small farmers and producers; true “earth and land lovers”, sharing a dream and concern of respect and responsibility towards earth and men.
Every Saturday in Saifi Village parking (from 9 am till 2 pm), every Wednesday in ABC Achrafieh L3 Parking (from 4 pm till 8 pm).

...So if you have stopped believing in Lebanon….some people are still trying to and need You to do so as well in order to go on...

Click on images to access the websites

Our fair trade product line in Lebanon

A big variety of amazing Lebanese jams and fruits in syrups, virgin olive oil, molasses, rose water, also the tasty grilled wheat and much more...are all available there for you!

Enjoy this range of products that has no additives, conservatives...or any weird elements with ugly colors!



Taste and Tell.

How fair can we go?

Each year, millions of tons of coffee, tea, cocoa and rice are sold, transported and purchased worldwide. Most of these raw materials are produced in the south but it is the North that provides the processing and distribution.
Prices of these commodities are imposed on producers in the South by future markets in the North...

Today, the dominant economic thinking is that "Free trade" works to the benefit of all. However, developing countries have increasingly impoverished in the past 40 years and many are being excluded from world markets. Fair Trade is a system created to combat this phenomenon of exclusion and the laws of single market.

Fair Trade aims to introduce moral rules in economy and trade.

On the scale of global trade, FT only represents 0.01% of world trade. Nevertheless, this share has been growing over the years and applies to 7.5 million individuals in 2008 that directly benefit from Fair Trade Certified production (according to Fair Trade Labeling Organizations).

Our conference at the American University of Beirut has highlighted the principles of Fair Trade as well as the activities of Fair Trade Lebanon.
Around 50 students attended and took part of the discussion. Doctor Zurayk has shared some valuable insights about the global movement of FT and its act of resistance in the Middle East, he added that many questions must be tackled: "Why is most trade unfair? How much power do we have as single individuals and consumers? Also, what or who stands in the way of changing the current global system?".

Fair Trade should become the rule rather than the exception.

The local NGO, Green Line for sustainable development, represented by M. Safieddine was also a participant and has emphasized on the need for civil society to be part of the trade rounds and have a say in order to apply pressure and protect the rights of small producers in this untamed globalization.

Fair Trade Lebanon in the Netherlands

"Mike van Londen, a man who understands the reality of our country, has contacted us in the hope of collaboration and support.

He chose to share a genuine story that cannot but reinforce our cause; “Since 2000, I frequently travel to Lebanon and have fallen in love with this country, the nature, its people, its culture. I saw how relentless the Lebanese are in rebuilding their lives and their land. For years, I am a witness of the hard life of a farmer, my father in law.
He works very hard to make sure that he has a rich harvest, but unfortunately, he faces every year the unfair regional competition. That is why I decided to do something for the Lebanese disadvantaged. After long and close examination, I have chosen Fair Trade Lebanon as the organization to which I will give my undivided attention. I strongly believe that Fair Trade is the vehicle that will give Lebanese agriculture the support it needs in order to allow producers to live decently.”

Therefore, we at Fair Trade Lebanon decided to join efforts with Mike and work together on entering the Dutch market and distributing quality “Terroirs” products."

The entire press release is available in Dutch here.

Hummus Recipe: Ready, Steady...Blend!!

Ingredients for the one and only Lebanese Hummus dip!!

• Chick peas (Marinate chick peas in warm water overnight. The next day, boil until cooked, drain and use for dip instead of canned ones).
• Tahini (paste of sesame seeds and olive oil; can be purchased at any Middle Eastern grocer)
• Yogurt
• Mint leaves
• Garlic
• Salt
• Lemon

Blend all and add more lemon or water until desired consistency.
Watch the video for step-by-step details and measurements (NB: FTL recommends the fresh chickpeas ingredient for greater taste)

To decorate the Hummus dip, you need:

• Parsley
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Summac or Paprika

Alf Sahtein!!

Mate...from Argentina all the way to Syria and Lebanon!

Mate, also known as cimarrón, is a traditional South American infused drink. It is prepared from steeping dried leaves of yerba mate in hot water. It is the national drink in Argentina, though Paraguay and Uruguay also happen to claim nationality over the beverage, and drinking it is a common social practice in parts of Brazil, Chile, eastern Bolivia, Lebanon and Syria.

The custom of drinking mate in some provinces of Syria and Lebanon came from Arabs who moved to South America during the early twentieth century, adopted the habit, and kept it after returning home. Syria is the biggest importer of yerba mate in the world, importing 15,000 tons a year. It is mostly the Druze community in Syria and Lebanon who maintain the culture and practice of mate.

Those who share the mate join in a kind of bond of total acceptance and friendship. Generally the server of mate will start a new infusion and then take the first drink. This is considered an act of kindness by the other people in the circle, because usually the first serving is considered the worst.

I tasted mate for the first time during our last visit to our partner cooperative in the bekaa, I had the second serving which was still a bit bitter and I found it very close to strong green tea...one can of course add sugar according to his taste!

First steps into Lebanese market