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.

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.

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

Organic Ketchup? Yes please!

Why choose our Fair Trade Ketchup?

1. Made from tomatoes and not tomato concentrate.
2. Made from organic tomatoes, bought from a certified organic grower. No chemicals.
3. No colouring or preservatives.

This ketchup is worthy of the best brands across the Atlantic! It goes perfectly with meat, pasta, fries...so delicious; personally one of my favorite products.

For comparison:

-Conventional Ketchup has:
Tomato concentrate made from red ripe tomatoes, distilled vinegar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, salt, spice, onion powder, and natural flavours.

-Fair Trade Ketchup branded under “Terroirs du Liban” has 5 simple components:
Tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, salt and corn starch.

Be Simple, Be organic.

Available right now at the office in Hazmieh, Lebanon
(phone: 05 952 153)
In France and Europe, on Artisanat SEL website, order it here.
And real soon in the Lebanese market!!

Adonis Valley : Organic farming in Lebanon

In brief : Mr. Fady Daw is a pioneer in organic farming in Lebanon and one of the partner producers that has been working with Fair Trade Lebanon for 2 years now.

His journey has been everything but easy and proves that setting foot in the organic business needs rigorous work, determination, long-term vision and mostly financial support.

Fady is an agricultural engineer who founded is organic food processing company, Adonis Valley, in 2005.

He joined us in this 3-day forum to testify about his experience in organic farming and his first steps in Fair Trade.

His product line is certified organic according to the EU standards; Part of the raw material is cultivated in the Adonis Valley itself while the other part is bought from underprivileged Lebanese farmers (who necessarily produce organic as well).

Fady Daw uses methods that are respectful of the environment and engages himself in a humanitarian cause through his relations with his own suppliers.