Olive oil from Palestinian growers will become a Fairtrade brand sold to UK consumers, according to this report from The Guardian. Today marks the start of an event called Fairtrade Fortnight, an initiative of the Fairtrade Foundation in the UK.
"(PM Gordon) Brown said: "Olive oil production provides an essential part of the West Bank economy. In buying this oil, British shoppers will be helping the farmers of Palestine to make a living.""
The international "fairtrade" movement came about to provide greater equity in global trade, promoting sustainability and supporting better conditions for disadvantaged producers and workers.
You can show FT solidarity with the Brits next month by eating a FT banana next month...see what's up with that here.
( Tks to http://greenprophet.com/2008/11/16/4310/dr-bronners-organic-olive-oil/for photo of Palestinian olive grower.)
I agree with Rose. In the US I got similar news that the Israelis destroyed and took most of the olive branches, some of which the Palestinians claim are centuries if not thousands of years old.
Posted by: Matt | March 04, 2009 at 09:44 AM
I am too depressed by that to Google it. but I may, later..
Reminds me of the Iraqi date palms destroyed during the first Gulf War. And undoubtedly, during this current event, alas.
When will we be done with the archaic nonsense of war???
Posted by: Foodie | February 27, 2009 at 08:31 AM
Gee, are there any olive trees left in Palestinian controlled regions? I understood that up to 500000 olive trees have been destroyed since 2000 by the Israelis. Google it.
I would be more than willing to buy Palestinian. How about a list of available products???
PS. The Co-Op's in Italy have been selling Fair Trade products for years. Even tiny village ones!
Posted by: Rose | February 23, 2009 at 01:32 PM