Interesting Numbers

Fairtrade = 80 million consumers
Fairtrade = 8 million beneficiaries
Fairtrade = Turnover of € 3 billion (2010)
Fairtrade = Represents 0.02% of world trade ... with an average annual growth of 20% per year.

FTL at Zeytouna Bay

FTL's Certification

FTL received, on Saturday, a certification that testifies its participation to the Beirut Cooking Festival. It was one of the best experience FTL has ever had! Thank you all for your support and your help! See you on the next event.

Join us at the Beirut Cooking Festival

FTL at Annecy - France

We just received some pictures of FTL's products exposed in Annecy-France, at Artisans du Monde shop. Indeed, some friends went for a walk in the old streets of Annecy. Suddenly, they found a store that sells Fair Trade products. They stopped by and searched for our items.

Apparently, our Zaatar, Boulgour, Chickpeas and Lentils are a success. 

FTL at WFTO Regional Conference in Tanzania

Dear FTL Fans,

This is to announce you that FTL (Fair Trade Lebanon) will be present at the WFTO (World FairTrade Organisation) Regional Conference! 

It will be held in Tanzania, from the 16th of September till the 22nd.

"How can trade be fair?"

by Eliot Stempf from the TimeOut Beirut magazine !

‘When we translate the phrase “fair trade” in Arabic for farmers, they sometimes laugh! “How can trade be fair? In Lebanon, trade is always unfair. If you are not the winner, you are the loser.” So Benoit Berger, Director of Projects for the organization Fair Trade Lebanon (FTL), illustrated one of the several fundamental challenges that fair trade foods face in Lebanon. Not even local Lebanese producers – those who could stand to benefit the most from a market for Lebanese fair trade foods – necessarily get the idea.

Fair Trade Lebanon began out of a desire to alleviate the impovershed circumstances of the south and the many villages caught in conflicts over the Lebanese- Israeli border. International NGOs were distributing goods, but not ways to sustain growth. Studies conducted by founders Philippe Adaime, Samir Abdelmalak, Gabriel Debbane, Jad Bitar and Joanne Karkour back in 2003 revealed a tremendous regional potential for food processing. Lebanon might lack the capacity or climate for cash crops, but its people have the experience in processing and preserving what’s available at hand. Further study revealed that the best way to market locally produced foods in Europe and North America was via a fair trade label. ‘Fair trade’ came to Lebanon not as a foreign ethos, but as a home-grown strategy to reinvigorate the countryside.

The purpose of the organisation is straightforward: help local producers using traditional Lebanese methods to find new markets and receive a fair salary for their efforts. ‘We don’t want to go out and teach people to make fig jam; we want to identify people who already know, and help them adapt it to the modern market’, said Berger. This means helping to control producers’ costs, telling producers how to alter their methods to meet some international standards, providing packaging and discovering buyers. FTL follows a product from the fields in Baalbek to store shelves in Europe.

A family producing jam in the south, for instance, faces several problems in trying to sell their product in the Beirut market. First is just finding a shop that’ll buy. Second is remuneration. According to Firas Hamdan, Merchandising Manager for TSC supermarkets, local producers receive payment between 45 and 60 days after delivery. For the small producer, the time that passes from the initial capital they put into creating the product – whether it’s jam, olive oil or pickles – to receiving their earnings is oftentimes prohibitive. And some retailers are unscrupulous: ‘We know stores,’ notes Randa El Chemali, Marketing Coordinator for FTL, ‘that wait until the product is sold to pay back the producer... People don’t have easy transport to Beirut; they can’t do the financial follow-up that’s necessary.’ Third, local products are more expensive, by 15-20% in TSC stores.

Since its inception in 2006, FTL has grown alongside the very Lebanese producers it has helped to support. It’s developed with all the trimmings of a homegrown movement – both the good and bad. ‘Little by little we acquired experience, for instance, on packaging,’ Berger stated. ‘Olive oil bottles with a plastic cap can’t be exported to Europe; the European partner just says “no, we can’t sell this.” Then there’s new regulations for tea bags – you can’t use staples.’ It took time just to acquire the international credibility necessary just to market products abroad as fair trade. ‘We’ve just become a member of the World Fair Trade Organization, which took us a long time. When we first emailed them, they asked, “who are you?’”

FTL sees opportunities not just internationally, but locally as well. ‘When people taste our pomegranate molasses, they say, “Oh! It’s just like my grandmother would make!’” says Benoit. TSC Signature Downtown already carries local products, Hamdan notes. When asked about their prospects, he was adamant: ‘There’s a taste and quality difference between the commercial and homemade. We’re all Lebanese. We’ve lived in a traditional culture. That’s why people will buy these products.

Article is online here.

Pomegranate virtues...the scientific truth

From Healthcentral.com:

There is a lot of buzz lately about the pomegranate exotic fruit. How much is supported by scientific research?

Pomegranates grow wild from Iran to northern India, but they are cultivated throughout India, the Middle East, southern Europe and California.

Here’s what some of the researchers’ reports say about the pomegranate fruit:

1- Rich in antioxidants that can keep bad LDL cholesterol from oxidizing
2-Pomegranate juice, like aspirin, can help keep blood platelets from clumping together to form unwanted clots
3-Eight ounces of pomegranate juice daily for three months improves the amount of oxygen getting to the heart muscle of patients with coronary heart disease
4- Possibility that pomegranate compounds might prevent prostate cancer or slow its growth
5- Pomegranate juice might help reduce the risk of breast cancer
6- Tissue cultures of human cartilage cells respond to pomegranate extract. Inflammation is reduced and the enzymes that break down cartilage become less active.

This is still far from a prescription for aching joints, but most experts agree that a little pomegranate won’t hurt and might help!

Scientific research sources:
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, May 2000
American Journal of the College of Cardiology, Sept. 2005
Journal of Nutrition, Sept. 2005

This summer...careful with the sun and keep your skin hydrated!

If you think that pollution is the number one cause to harm your skin…
think twice.
Researches show that sun is actually the first cause behind skin cancer, wrinkles, eczema and other types of irritations…

According to the WebMd advice:
“You might like the look of tanned skin, but the sun takes a heavy toll on your health and your appearance. Sunlight consists of UVA rays, which can lead to premature aging and skin cancer, and UVB rays, which are the main cause of sunburn. A broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect you against both types. Make sure to coat the skin generously, and don't forget to use a protective lip balm.”

Our recommendation for you this summer, is to give yourself the easy-crucial-responsible treatment! Hmmm, so what does it consist of?

Well…first of all start your day with:

• A gentle and efficient facial cleanser, which would also exfoliate your skin
  


• Then apply a matt and odorless sunscreen on your face and neck! (Yes you will look much younger as the years go by…it’s the dermatologists best kept secret!).

Second clause: Remember to moisturize your skin everyday! Consider replacing your commercial shower gel with a natural soap, such as olive oil soap.
For that, we do have exactly what you need….

Our olive oil and bay leaf (5%) soap is made from 100% natural ingredients, according to the traditional Aleppo recipe. It is a natural antiseptic soap with vegetable fat and no chemical additives, ideal for sensitive skins.
Beauty experts highly recommend olive oil soap during summer and all year long for its moisturizing properties, it retains water and keeps the skin hydrated.
Exfoliating and moisturizing is definitely the recipe for smooth and soft body care!

The Garden Show Spring Festival 2011!

From May 24th until 28th, Fair Trade Lebanon was present at the yearly Garden Show Spring Festival taking place at the Beirut Hippodrome. We were very pleased by the outcome of this event. In the aim of raising awareness for Fair Trade, we are most importantly promoting a range of natural and top-quality products, sourced from some of the smallest food-processing cooperatives established in rural regions.

Looking for chickpeas lentils and bulgur? We got them!

Dear bloggers, foodies and chefs!

These Mediterranean specialties are available in France, Germany and Canada.

Healthy and loaded with fibers, Bulgur, Lentils and chickpeas are great basis for any type of cuisine and dishes.

Make sure you try them!

To ask about the closest address to you, email me:

r.elchemali@fairtradelebanon.org

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

We are at ASSAHA Supermarket !

New Entry in the Lebanese market : Our products are now sold at
ASSAHA Supermarket in Mar Takla, Hazmieh.

A wide choice of products is there for you, our stand Terroirs du Liban is filled with Syrups, Virgin Olive Oil, Red Wine, Distillates....

...and a variety of condiments for your refined cuisine: Grilled Wheat, Zaatar, Fleur de Sel, Chilli Paste, Organic Ketchup and Goat Kechek (our famous Lebanese specialty, exquisite!)...

...you will also find our whole selection of jams and fruits in syrup!

Dear bloggers and followers,

Fair Trade is about improving lives...it is about helping small producers strengthen their activities while providing them with marketing and sales opportunities, sustainable solutions and better incomes in order for them to fight against rural exodus, poverty and unemployment.

But not only, Fair Trade is also about ensuring that the final product is irreproachable in regard to quality and to recipes.
We are proud to say that the brand Terroirs du Liban has passed all quality tests and requirements necessary for export (ingredients used, process of production and packaging are all approved in the European and North-American markets), our products attract consumers by their natural and traditional process (no additives nor preservatives), their taste, their variety, and that fun twist of modernity!...

The best way to enjoy all of the above is to go ahead and indulge yourself in...
Terroirs du Liban

For more info, call: 05 952 153

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! :)

The Success Platter or what happened on October 15th....

To make a Success Platter, you need:

-2 cups of Believers and Visionaries
-250g of Long-term Focus and Commitment

-250g of the rich mixture: Motivation, Solidarity, Ethics

-A handful of Laughter

-1 teaspoon of a few falls

-1 tablespoon of Lessons learnt

For topping:We suggest some white cream made of Ambitions and Projects

Combine all ingredients. Spread in pan and bake until golden brown!
This recipe serves a lot of people, as many as you want, perhaps even a whole nation...

On October 15th, we spent a day with nothing on our mind but the future of our dear Lebanon. Journalists have shown us recognition for the hard work of rural women in their cooperatives and for the cause of Fair Trade...it was a rewarding day...

To all of you with us on that day, Thank You...

Bulgur

In the region of Kob Elias, in the heart of the Bekaa valley, some 50 km from Beirut, FTL has identified a small family business of four people who decided to fight to stay at home and not to flee their impoverished rural areas.

For over 30 years, they have transformed wheat into bulgur, a very popular product in Lebanon.

The bulgur is a delicate product and its preparation represents a challenge. To achieve a top quality bulgur, you need to apply a specific detailed order for the entire process.

To begin with, Durum wheat is soaked in boiling water for 3 hours, until cooked.


Then it is drained and dried in the sun, extended in circular thin layers over a clean floor. The drying time is a secret.


Dried cooked wheat is then cut up and goes into the mill, according to the desired size: fine, medium, coarse, and whole grains. The different sizes are used for different purposes.



The variety of thick brown bulgur is packed in bags of 500 gr for Fair Trade Lebanon.




This product is available in France, Lebanon and Germany.

What you probably don't know about Bulgur...

"Bulgur is precooked and requires only minimal preparation before eating. Unlike cracked wheat, bulgur is ready to eat after just ten minutes of boiling, roughly the same amount of time that it takes to prepare pasta.

Bulgur has a delicious, mildly nutty flavor.

It is a good source of protein, iron, magnesium , and B vitamins. It is packed with fiber — a 1-cup (182 g) serving of cooked bulgur has 8 grams of fiber and contains very little fat. You can add nutritional punch to casseroles and other dishes by substituting bulgur for converted rice. Incorporating bulgur into your diet is both nutritionally smart and easily accomplished."

Lebanese tabbouleh is a classic example for an easy salad using bulgur. We’ve published the tabbouleh recipe here.

More about Bulgur here.