KIT
www.zaytoun.org
FOOD
REPORT
FAIR TRADE
A look at some products from Palestine
Z
aytoun was founded in
2004 to trade olive oil
produced in Palestine. It
then become a UK social
enterprise to develop
Palestinian artisan foods, while continuing
to sell the world's first Fairtrade olive oil,
which was certified in 2009.
Zaytoun Organic, Fairtrade Extra Virgin
Olive Oil is renowned for its pungent,
peppery flavour and this brand was the
first organic Fairtrade olive oil to be sold
in the UK. Zaytoun Medjoul Dates are
the 'King of Dates', sweet and succulent,
these dates are grown in the sunshine
on the outskirts of Jericho, just down the
road from Bethlehem. Zaytoun is the only
importer of fair trade Palestinian dates to
the UK.
Zaytoun remains a successful
Community Interest Company supporting
the relationship between Palestinian
producer communities and a growing
network of customers in the UK and
Ireland. Zaytoun Palestinian olive oil and
maftoul (or couscous, see right) are both
certified organic products.
Um Hikmat, a producer from Deir
Ballout village speaks about the tradition
of making maftoul by hand: "We may
not have technological advancements in
our village but we can do things with our
hands that are superior to anything made
by machines. No machine can make this
kind of maftoul. It does not work. Since
we started making maftoul for Canaan
Fair Trade we have been enjoying each
other's company more. We love life. We
want to enjoy it to the fullest; this is why
we don't work alone. Maftoul is a great
excuse to get together, cook together,
and work together. We roll, we chat, and
we feel good when we are finished that
The word maftoul means
'hand-rolled', reflecting the
tradition way Palestinian
women prepare organic
bulgur and whole wheat flour.
Just as their grandmothers
have always done, women
work together to crack, handroll
and dry the organic
wheat in sunshine. Zaytoun
maftoul and freekah, above,
and maftoul being made top
right. Mejool dates (right)
and olive oil (far right).
we accomplished something as a group.
These are the beautiful things in life."
The Zaytoun range continues to grow,
and is now available online and through
volunteer distributors independent
delicatessens and farm shops.