Have you learnt that Palestinian farmers have been cultivating their lands for 1000’s of years and proceed to take motion, whatever the challenges of farming beneath 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 assist 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 assist Palestinian farmers via trustworthy commerce moderately than assist, with 100% of earnings reinvested within the course of delivering this mission.
Zaytou heard premium prime quality merchandise which could be ethically sourced, sustainably grown and sourced from farmers in Palestine who the group go to generally. In doing so, they assist Palestinian farming communities going via the challenges of illegal Israeli occupation and settlement via commerce. Their merchandise are harvested and prepared by hand; a testament every to the proud heritage and culinary traditions of the Palestinian of us, 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 associates to buy a case. The idea unfold shortly amongst Palestinian solidarity networks, highlighting the need for one factor tangible and sustained to assist Palestinians, that every supported present activism and reached previous it. A straightforward 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 oldsters of Palestine, their love for his or her lands and the rich heritage they carry and are blissful to share with us.
We’re nonetheless drastically shocked by the tastes and flavour of Palestinian meals, and the expertise of the farming communities who, 12 months after 12 months, share their harvests with us. Their love of wonderful meals and the easiest way it has of bringing of us collectively, evokes and delights us as loads as ever.
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After starting with olive oil, Zaytoun now promote quite a few merchandise grown by utterly totally different farming communities in Palestine. These merchandise are moreover now extensively on the market from extreme highway retailers, from delicatessens to Fairtrade outlets and wholefood retailers. Their group 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 quite a lot of Palestinian suppliers, with whom they’ve longstanding relationships constructed up over frequent visits to farms, factories and companies. Just a few of those embody:
Canaan Sincere Commerce
Canaan works with over 2000 artisan family farms spanned all through 52 utterly totally different villages to sustainably provide olive oil, almonds, freekeh and maftoul amongst totally different merchandise. 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 one of the best prime quality Palestinian Medjoul dates. The company, beforehand named MADICO, grew out of a strong dedication to spend cash on 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 an important trustworthy commerce producers union in Palestine, with over 1400 small-scale Palestinian farmers joined in trustworthy commerce collectives and cooperatives all through the nation. Their cooperatives present Zaytoun, via Canaan Sincere Commerce, and Zaytoun assist their Timber for Life tree planting scheme.
Palestine Gardens
Palestine Gardens offers Zaytoun with succulent Medjoul dates from growers throughout the Jordan Valley. Its function 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 residing 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 Lifeless Sea Salt producer. Based mostly in 1960, it offers Zaytoun with 100% pure bathtub salt and is positioned on the west monetary establishment of the Lifeless 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 of us the prospect to fulfill just a few of the producer communities who present their merchandise, from Nablus soap-makers to olive farmers in Jenin.
Lodging is often in native lodges or with farmers’ households. Friends have the prospect to witness first-hand the day-after-day difficulties of life beneath occupation, however moreover participate throughout the richness of Palestinian lives which transcend victimhood and political strife. Expereinces can embody serving to ship residence the dear olive harvest whereas offering assist 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 throughout which our Palestinian mates get on with atypical life, resist the occupation and keep defiant.
Research additional about visits proper right here
Strategies to level out assist
There are a selection of strategies to change into concerned and current assist from afar, along with:
Buy Palestinian
Buy from Zaytoun, supporting producers and spreading the phrase to your neighborhood. Chances are you’ll as nicely encourage your native retailers and cafes to stock Zaytoun merchandise, which could be discovered from quite a lot of wholesalers. For individuals who run a retailer or small enterprise, you possibly can even change right into a stockist your self.
Put together dinner Palestinian meals
Why not invite your of us over and cook dinner dinner them a Palestinian meal? For individuals who’re not sure what to cook dinner dinner, check out Zaytoun’s recipesbuy a Palestinian cookbookand adjust to Zaytoun on social media for additional inspiration.
Plant a tree
Olive bushes are an essential provide of income for small-scale farmers throughout the West Monetary establishment. Planting bushes via the Palestine Sincere Commerce Affiliation offers an opportunity to take optimistic movement, along with being a thoughtful current for seasonal and religious celebrations.
Help Zaytoun’s campaigns
Sign as a lot as Zaytoun’s e-newsletter to be the first to hunt out out about new campaigns. Moreover they attribute advertising marketing campaign data on our weblog and social media.