Zaytoun

How is it social?

Zaytoun is a community interest company and a social enterprise. As such, its social impact is crucial to its commercial activities: the greater its revenues and profits, the greater its social returns, as all profits are reinvested in the social goals of the company. Zaytoun creates markets for fair trade and organic produce from farmers in Palestinian territories, providing commerce and fairer pay for poor and marginalised communities along with sustainable agricultural practices and environmental conservation.

What is its business model?

Zaytoun sells fair trade and organic Palestinian food produce and other goods direct to a number of UK retail outlets including whole food shops, delicatessens and fair trade outlets. Zaytoun's products are sourced through co-operative groups and family-owned farms and olive groves in Palestine. Its Fairtrade olive oil is pressed from the fruit of ancient olive groves, which have been cultivated by generations of Palestinian families. Palestine has some of the oldest olive groves in the world, some of which have been around for as long as 2000 years. The olive trees produce fruit that supports over half the population and they dominate the agricultural landscape. The Mediterranean climate, rich fertile soil and use of organic traditional farming methods has made Zaytoun’s Palestinian olive oil an award-winning product, recommended for its flavour by renowned chefs and food critics.

In addition to its core business, Zaytoun organises two trips to Palestine for its supporters and customers every year. Both of these trips are timed to coincide with the annual olive harvest, usually around the end of October and early November and they offer customers the chance to visit many of the communities who supply Zaytoun's products from Nablus soap-makers to olive farmers in Jenin, as well as some support and advocacy organisations who work on behalf of these communities.

Its history

Zaytoun (meaning Olive in Arabic) was founded by Cathi Davis and Heather Masoud in 2004 to create and develop a UK market for artisan Palestinian produce. The company is a cooperative, and a member of the International fair trade Association.

Both Cathi and Heather have spent time in Palestine volunteering as human rights observers, particularly with farming communities. Cathi holds a degree in Arabic and Islamic studies, and has always been interested in understanding the culture and politics of the Middle East. After leaving university she joined the civil service, then moved to Ireland to work with farming campaign groups. On her return to the UK, she worked as liaison officer for a Green MEP, before founding Zaytoun as a way to support Palestinian farmers. She currently lives in the Midlands.

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