Organic...the basics you need to know.

In Lebanon, we tend to confuse Organic production with "Home made", "Natural" or "Private gardening". We sometimes even believe that "organic" is restricted to "healthy"...healthy for your body and diet. But these prejudice are incorrect...Organic is actually extremely linked to Environment...so let us elaborate a little more in order to brighten the big picture.

1-How to define "Organic Foods"?

Organic foods are produced using methods that do not involve modern synthetic inputs such as synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, do not contain genetically modified organisms, and are not processed using irradiation, industrial solvents, or chemical food additives.
For the vast majority of human history, agriculture can be described as "organic"; only during the 20th century was a large supply of new synthetic chemicals introduced to the food supply. The organic farming movement arose in the 1940s in response to the industrialization of agriculture known as the Green Revolution.

Last but not least: [On the contrary to what you may think], the weight of the available scientific evidence has not shown a significant difference between organic and more conventionally grown food in terms of safety, nutritional value, or taste. [This must be double checked in reference to the Lebanese reality.]
source: wikipedia, more here.

2-How could we distinguish organic products from conventional ones (in local Lebanese context)?

No farmer can claim that his / her crops are organic just because they believe they are. Soils must be tested and the whole farming process must be monitored and regulated in order to accredit such sayings. There are independant certifying bodies who operate on this level in order to grant producers an official Organic Certification for their production, and hence, an official organic label for their products.

In Lebanon, two bodies are approved to certify and grant the organic label: IMC (Instituto Mediterraneo di Certificazione) and LibanCert.

During their assessment, they inspect the facilities, the soil, the water used for irrigation, the packing material, the cleaning products, and they do random sampling of final products to be sent for laboratory tests.

While buying local products at the store, look for the below logos for certification:

3-Organic farming and Environment...any impact?

According to a French study done by the Agence BIO (2006 report), organic farming has demonstrated positive impacts on the soil's structure and fertility; some of the study findings are listed below:

• Absence of residues of synthetic chemical pesticides
• Intense biological soil activity
• Higher level of organic sustances in the soil
• Limited nitrate pollution
• Crop diversity, landscape diversity
• Biodiversity of natural species are witnessed in the surroundings of organic farms
• Conservation of the genetic diversity of cultivated plants

The soil is a living environment, housing a variety of bacteria, micro-fungi, insects, earthworms etc. It is a complex and multi-functional nonrenewable resource! We must preserve it from often irreversible damage given its major role in the regulation of natural balances.

75% of French consumers accompany their organic purchase with an ethical incentive. They believe that choosing organic is looking beyond the present and making a sustainable choice for generations to come.

4-Where can you purchase fresh and processed local organic products?

I've researched some local outlets and specialized stores...listed below in random order:

Organic Bakery Chouf area Tel: 05340371; available in Beirut through network stores

Beit el Soha Facing Hotel Dieu hospital, Achrafieh; Tel: 01398366

A New Earth Achrafieh (Zahrat al Ihsan street); Tel: 01219920

Live Organic New Naccache, main road; Tel: 04444886

Healthy Basket Store in Hamra & Home Delivery; Tel: 01747831 and 03794438

Naturalia located in Baabda, Tel: 05456566

It is a narrow list and does not include all places, in addition to small selective outlets, all supermarkets usually do have imported and local organic items.

Deir El Ahmar

Deir El Ahmar is a Lebanese town, located at 100 km from Beirut and 12 km northeast of Baalbeck in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon.

Deir el Ahmar's location in the fertile Beqaa Valley makes agriculture its main economical activity. The town has also good potential for tourism due to the mild climate, pristine nature, and the variety of historical and archeological sites. Ecotourism, especially natural excursions and hiking trips are becoming more popular in the region of Deir el Ahmar. Tourists also visit the local organic farms and participate in farming activities.

However, an economical and demographic study conducted in Deir el Ahmar by Dr Gaby Saliba in 2001 highlights the following three problems:

1- High emigration of youth [62% of population] and still increasing mainly caused by the lack of high education institutions and the nearest university is 40 minutes away.
2- Scarce role of women in development.
3- And high rate of unemployment.

The pictures above were taken by my colleagues Fanny and Vanessa who spent 4 days in Deir El Ahmar accompanying our wine producers during their first audit for organic certification, provided by the IMC international body.

KILL BEES!

FNE (France Nature Environnement) is a federation of more than 3000 French NGOs working in the field of environment.

It was founded in 1968 in the aim of informing and alerting the grand public to crucial environmental threats by seeking massive mobilization and achieving ambitious policy changes.
Whether it is climate change, biodiversity, sustainable mobility, agriculture, industrial risks...FNE is renowned for its expertise and its contribution to the improvement and implementation of important laws and regulations (in France and the European Union).

The advertisements above are selected from one of their awareness raising campaigns:

Ad 1: KILL BEES; Some pesticides present a deadly danger to bees, and it is not a drama film.

Ad 2: IT IS WITHOUT DANGER; regarding GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) we still do not have enough hindsight...

Ad 3: STOP YOUR NON-SENSE; Industrial farming and fertilizers generate green algae. Their decomposition releases a deadly gas to Men.

Fair Trade for Women Producers...Portraits of Hope and Determination

The Women’s Economic Empowerment project was launched in 2009 and is funded by the MDG3 Global Fund by the Government of the Netherlands. Through the project, WIEGO (Women in Informal Employment Globalizing and Organizing) and its partners are advocating for the needs of informal workers, especially women. The project seeks to promote the voice, visibility and validity of working poor women across different countries, sectors and issues in the informal economy. As part of this project, WIEGO’s Global Trade Programme, in partnership with leading Fair Trade organizations in seven countries, initiated Fair Trade for Women Producers with a focus on documenting, analyzing and disseminating key success factors of fair trade by involving women producers in all stages of development.


They have coordinated and organized their 2 year research with several country networks: In India, Nepal, Nicaragua, Mexico, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. In each country, they have chosen a few women groups and have followed them in their daily life, searching for information and common trends. The groups were given video and digital cameras and were asked to be their own messengers, so they began to interview themselves and use their own words to tell their unique stories.

I personally watched in Kenya the series of small documentaries that WIEGO produced for each country...I enjoyed each second of them and realized that sometimes we could be extremely ungrateful in regard to what we have, or what we think we don't have. I was struck by the courage and the motivation of these women struggling to put food on the table and make a decent living for themselves and their families. Some of them are marginalized by their respective societies because they happen to be widows or with special needs...These women producers chose to fight against their tremendous poverty and oppression, by organizing themselves and increasing their power and performance as a group.

The below videos would give you a broader vision of what Fair Trade or Women Producers really represents:

As stated by WIEGO... these are "portraits of hope and determination".

Bijaipur, India: part I

Bijaipur, India: part II

All the documentaries and analysis are available on the blog of Fair Trade for Women Producers (under the country pages), click here to access the home page.

Thank you Elaine, Carole and Sofia for the beautiful work...and a bigger thanks to all these noble ladies who, by speaking out, remind us that life is really what you make of it...

The Art of Italian Cooking...or how you can get involved!

The Art of Italian Cooking is launching a series of cooking workshops in collaboration with Fair Trade Lebanon, and is bringing you an exquisite menu made with fair trade products purchased from small Lebanese producers established in rural regions.

If you are bored of doing the same old things or just want to learn a few new recipes...then sign up for this fun cooking class, whether you are a group of friends (up to 8 people) or just a cozy couple, Nina will organize your workshop sur mesure and take you on a culinary trip through Italy and it's delicious recipes: Bitter orange peels à l'italienne, virgin olive oil and pizza dough, chicken slices in pomegranate marinade...and so much more!

Starting Wednesday the 22nd of June, Nina will use fair trade products in her menu and you will also be able to purchase those ingredients after the class is done.

How would you be getting involved?

The Art of Italian Cooking is actually raising funds for ALPHA (Association Libanaise pour la promotion Humaine et l'Alphabétisation), a Lebanese NGO founded in 1993 in the aim of promoting Human Rights and the development of our country through popular education.

By participating in this class you would be supporting two associations, ALPHA and Fair Trade Lebanon, and actively contributing to raising awareness for local and sustainable development.

Technical information:
Schedule of workshops:
Sundays from 4:30 pm until 6:30 pm
Tuesdays or Thursdays from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Session fee: $ 30/ 50.000 LBP (including cooking kit & ingredients)
Session duration: 2 hours.
For reservation:
Mobile: 71211891 (Nina)
Email: italiancookingworkshop@gmail.com

The Art of Italian cooking facebook page: become fan and stay up to date with the latest news!

Pictures from the Fair Trade Fortnight 2011!

For the third consecutive year, Fair Trade Lebanon celebrates the Fair Trade Fortnight

From May 14th until the 29th, Fair Trade Lebanon (FTL) is celebrating the Fair Trade Fortnight in Lebanon. This event of international scope, aims to inform, educate and mobilize the public around Fair Trade as an alternative consumption model that respects people and the environment.

The Fortnight celebration revolves around the World Fair Trade Day, designated on May 14th, 2011. This important date is organized in partnership of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), which gathers over 400 fair trade actors from 73 countries and of which FTL is a member since September 2010. The theme for the 2011 edition is "Trade for people: Fair Trade your world.”

Fair Trade Lebanon joins the event: During these fifteen days of campaign, FTL has mobilized more than ten renowned restaurants that have committed to serving fair trade products in their menus as well as communicating about this theme.

This effort to raise awareness for Fair Trade is supported by the French Embassy in Lebanon.

May 14th: World Fair Trade Day 2011!

From May 14th until the 28th, Fair Trade Lebanon is celebrating the Fair Trade Fortnight in Lebanon. This event, of international dimension, revolves around the World Fair Trade Day on the 12th of May and aims to raise awareness for Fair Trade as an alternative trading system that respects people and the environment.

During our fifteen days of campaign, table mats about fair trade will be placed in 12 different restaurants which also agreed to include some of Fair Trade Lebanon’s products into their menus!

In addition to that, and to gather more people into this global celebration, FTL will hold a stand at the Garden Show Spring Festival taking place at the Hippodrome of Beirut from May 24th to 28th, from 4 to 10 PM.

Our aim is to let the voice of fair trade be heard and encourage people to support and join this dynamic by choosing to put the interest of our small producers above all.

This event is supported by the French Embassy in Lebanon.

Exposition Afkart : Decembre 2010

Fair Trade Lebanon expose ses produits issus du commerce équitable à Afkart, le salon de Noël des designers libanais au Biel à Beyrouth, du 14 au 20 décembre 2010. Les visiteurs à la recherche de cadeaux pour les fêtes ont pu découvrir -ou redécouvrir- les saveurs traditionnelles du terroir libanais.

A l'occasion, FTL leur propose en plus de sa gamme habituelle des coffrets cadeaux spéciaux, du vin rouge pour accompagner leur repas le soir du réveillon ou des croquants au sésame, cacahuètes ou noisettes pour satisfaire leurs petites faims. " Je suis passée hier et je suis revenue aujourd'hui avec mes parents pour leur montrer tous ces produits traditionnels", témoigne une passante, enthousiasmée par les confitures naturelles de FTL.

Les touristes sont également séduits par les sirops, mélasses, huiles d'olive et autres gourmandises du stand :" J'en achète pour ma famille", raconte une jeune américaine de passage au Liban. " Je veux leur faire découvrir toutes ces recettes de la gastronomie libanaise!"

Si chaque visiteur déguste avec ravissement les produits des coopératives de femmes et des petits producteurs locaux exposés, peu connaissent le commerce équitable et ses principes. " Il reste un grand travail de sensibilisation auprès du public à faire" rapporte Randa el Chemali, responsable marketing chez FTL, qui met un point d'honneur à expliquer à chaque client les valeurs de respect et de solidarité qui régissent le commerce équitable.

Texte et Vidéo par Anne Ilcinkas.

Join us from Dec 14th until 20th at BIEL !

Oh we know you miss us...!!

Come and share the fun at the AFKART Christmas Exhibition held at BIEL (Hall 3) from Dec 14th until the 20th

- Everyday from 4:00 till 10:00 PM -

Fair Trade Lebanon will be selling Christmas and Wine Packages !

Make sure you are there for our wine tasting

Merry Christmas Everyone...See you there :) we'll be at the Food Court

Fair Trade Lebanon at Balamand University

Dear Students and Advocates,

Today FTL was be present at the University of Balamand to give a conference about the concept of Fair Trade, its opportunities and challenges. The event was organized by the university's Interactive student Club, which we deeply thank for their interest, motivation, and communication work.

If you are a student reading this blog and wish to launch the same event at your own university, then Fair Trade Lebanon would be more than glad to hear from you!

Fair Trade Lebanon will run the 2010 Marathon

On Sunday the 7th of November, Fair Trade Lebanon will run the 10 Km Marathon race organized by the Beirut Marathon Association.

Here's our story in six words...

"WE RUN, TO STAY…IN LEBANON".

People run for many reasons, for life, for adrenaline, for peace, for competition, for health or simply for fun….Fair Trade Lebanon wants to RUN for the PRESENT, for LEBANON. We will run because we are choosing to stay…to make a point that our future is this land, and we will keeping on running to protect it, to build it and to promote it and promote FAIR TRADE for all. Our motivation is like this race, long and stubborn, and we will keep on going. Fair Trade Lebanon is here to stay!

Pictures of FTL's catering!

En route to women's cooperatives in the Bekaa - iloubnan.info

Report by Anne llcinkas from iloubnan.info
Music by Dhafer Youssef

This report summarizes our field trip on October 15th and our celebration of World Rural Woman's Day. In the midst of our most forgotten Lebanese villages, there are powerful women doing some impressive work and bringing change to their households and communities...this video is priceless...

Thank you Anne.

Catering by Fair Trade Lebanon

Time Out Beirut and Save Beirut Heritage are organizing a screening of Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige's 1999 feature film "Autour de la Maison Rose" (92mins, Arabic with English subtitles), on Tuesday 26 October, 8pm at the Association de Développement de Gemmayzé.

Fair Trade Lebanon will provide snacks and drinks for all cineclub-goers. A selection of delicious grilled wheat for nibbling, molasses biscuits, refreshing mulberry, rose and bitter orange syrups and jams will be offered on the menu!

Yum Oh! All made by our partner cooperatives...

To attend, visit the Facebook page event or the TimeOutBeirut website.

For more information call 71 535 137

Remember, October 26th, See you there! :)

Article published in L'Orient-Le Jour by the journalist Rana Andraos

Article is available here.

Celebrating World Rural Woman's Day on October 15th

On October 15th 2010, Fair Trade Lebanon will invite local journalists to a field trip day to celebrate the World Rural Woman's Day and raise awareness for the Fair Trade cause and its impact on local disadvantaged communities.

Our organization has programmed visits to two women's cooperatives and partners located in the Bekaa. This field trip will give the journalists the chance to dialogue with those active women, learn about their stories and watch them while they work in their cooperatives.

We will first visit women from the cooperative of Fourzol, in the caza of Zahle to witness the preparation of grape molasses. Then we will head to Rachaya in West Bekaa, where the cooperative will be preparing jams and grilled wheat. Members will openly speak about their daily challenges, their progress and their ambitions.

Pictures and press releases will be available after the 15th, stay posted!

Facts about Rural Women

In 10 days we celebrate the World Rural Woman's Day, here are some interesting facts and challenges....

Rural Women, mainly farmers, are at least 1.6 billion and represent more than a quarter of the total world population.

Women produce on average more than half of all the food that is grown: up to 80% in Africa, 60% in Asia, between 30 and 40 % in Latin America and Western countries.

Women own only 2% of the land and receive only 1% of all agriculture credit.

Only 5% of all agricultural extension resources are directed to women.

Women represent 2/3 of all illiterate people.

The number of rural women living in poverty has doubled since 1970.

Source: International Federation of Agricultural Producers

At the Mzaar Summer Festival...

We are at the Mzaar Summer Festival, tonight and until Sunday the 15th.

Sharing some pictures with you on what you should expect...!

wine tasting

Syrup tasting! ...Rose, Bitter Orange, Mulberry

Jams and Syrups

Olive oil soap with laurel leaves

See you there!

Mzaar Summer Festival, 2010 Edition

Join us from August 11th until 15th at the Faraya Mzaar Summer Festival as Fair Trade Lebanon will proudly bring you

TERROIRS DU LIBAN

You will love our product tastings, our wine degustation, the gift packages and the team of young students raising awareness for Fair Trade.

Opening Hours:
Aug 11th & 12th : from 03:00 until 09:00 pm
Aug 13th, 14th & 15th: from 12:00 until 10:00 pm

Free Entrance, Parking and Valet Parking Service available

Don’t miss out and come visit our stand!

The awaited video: Fair Trade Lebanon on BBC

Thank you Katy Watson for this valuable report!