Start up of “Drive to the Market”, a new farmers’ market at Ziko House-Sanaye3 in Beirut

The Daily Star published a report about a new pilot new farmers’ market, “Drive to the market” which was launched in August 2013 at the Zico House in collaboration with the Food Heritage Foundation and the Environmental Sustainable Development Unit at the AUB and currently with 8 farmers and producers.

The report highlights a number of stories of farmers and producers such as Hanna and Grace Rizk who tried to replicate a piece of their homeland Kesrwane and move it to the capital where they are exhibiting green peppers, cherry tomato and squash.  Antoinette Yammine and her daughter Rita from Zghorta exhibit jams, syrups, honey and olive oil.  All exhibitors emphasised that their products do not have any preservatives since their production is limited.  For her part, Noha Al-Hayek recently gave up her 18-year job as a cook and is now producing different kinds of mezze plates and salads for the Market.

Dietician Dominique Anid and a founding member of Food Heritage Foundation noted in her interview with the Daily Star that this initiative aims to preserve food heritage in Lebanon while making sure that it is transferred to the coming generations. The project also seeks to support small producers by helping them in finding new markets and share their success stories and difficulties. It is to be noted that the market opens every Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM with plans to having it later on open a daily basis and throughout the year.
Source: The Daily Star 23 August 2013