Alter Eco Fair Trade Olive Oil

Alter Eco Fair Trade Olive Oil

The other day, I received a few sample bottles of Palestinian olive oil. The label announces some admirable qualities about the oil's production process, like that it’s fair trade and made with zero carbon foot print, along with crunchy comments reminiscent of a Dr. Bronner’s soap bottle: it’s “filled with peace…and hope.” Such good deeds and vibes are laudable but not sufficient for me to prefer a product.

I opened the “robust” version and found it very similar to the Athenolia EVOO I posted about last year. It has a very grassy open, which I like, and a back-of-the-throat pepperiness, almost a burn, that I find fine for cooking or even on a salad (I mentioned this salad use to the brassy New York lady at Olive & Well, and she raised her eyebrows as though to say, No arguing taste). I liked this olive oil as a simple dip with Liborio bread; it’s tasty without any additional salt or spicing required. I think this is definitely an example of my preferring more “raw” versions of some items; I mean, it’s extra virgin, but has more frontal flavors and guts than most of the other olive oils in my cabinet. This hearty oil is made with Rumi olives, which are native to Palestine, though probably not exclusive to that region.

Here’s what the bottles look like, though I’m not sure you buy this oil locally (yet).



[In center, Canaanite mother goddess, resident office deity]

Hammond

What is 'fair trade' ?

lougord99 wrote:What is 'fair trade' ?

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_trade:
The currently accepted definition of Fair Trade has been agreed by FINE, an informal association of four international fair trade networks (Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, World Fair Trade Organization, Network of European Worldshops and European Fair Trade Association):

Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South. Fair Trade Organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade. Fair Trade products are produced and traded in accordance with these principles — wherever possible verified by credible, independent assurance systems. European Fair Trade Association. (2006).

I was wondering about this as well. Thanks to Debbie Schlussel for investigating the organization. I will not be a buyer.

http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives ... print.html

Mikey wrote:Thanks to Debbie Schlussel for investigating the organization.

Uh...okay. I'm intrigued by David's thoughtful post and, although I agree with him that "good deeds and vibes" aren't sufficient to prefer a product, I happen to like the idea of "fair trade" and I will be a buyer--at least to sample.

Sounds like a great organization.

I've had two varieties of fair-trade Palestinian olive oil and both were wonderful. Producing local food seems to be a sustainable and constructive way to rebuild and develop indigenous Palestinian industry. Although it would be ideal for this olive oil to be sold to people in the local community, I would be happy to support any effort for constructive economic development in a such a turbulent place.

Being that I am a Jewish and also a student of economics and advocate of fair-trade, I also thought that I should share my perspective on the article written by Debbie Schlussel. Although I understand her article is more editorial than journalistic, it was hard for me to ignore many of the offensive and baseless attacks and generalizations that I saw throughout the article.

Regardless of your political opinion, you must admit that this can hardly be considered serious journalism:


"Fair trade? Get real. The only "fair trade" is free trade. But "fair trade" is an attack on the the free market. I say, if you don't like the prices you get on the open market, tough. The term "fair trade" is just a phony euphemism to help parties who can't compete on the free market, sell their coffee beans and other items through the bullying and thuggish hippie tactics of political correctness. And it's far more expensive than coffee competitively traded on the open, free market."



Now, Palestinian pan-terrorists and are glomming on to the "fair trade" concept for their own propaganda and hate spreading purposes. Give them credit for chutzpah, though. Palestinians in terrorist hotbed Jenin--home to many homicide bomb belt assembly lines--have started this new thing called "Canaan Fair Trade," also known as the "Palestinian Fair Trade Association."


The kind of blind hatred exhibited in this article is certainly of the same variety that the author laments in criticizing the actions of Hamas and other terrorist groups. Even if one falls on the Israeli side of the argument, it's hard to deny that developing economies based on industries other than war is a positive step in combating terrorism. The idea that a young Palestinian has the opportunity to engage in sustainable agriculture rather than remaining unemployed or taking up arms is wonderful, and I think it should be supported.

Just my two cents.

Thanks,
Josh

LTH is a food forum not a political one, so I would rather keep this thread on a discussion of the olive oil itself. To make a purchasing decision on a non commodity product such as premium olive oil based on a fair trade claim is just ignorant. The growers are able to charge whatever the market is willing to pay. In other words, they are not being given a market price as they top off the huge oil tanker to be sold as "olive oil".
I personally am supporting the Israeli farms which simply strive to put out a superior product, without a label loaded with "feel good" food "propaganda". I feel good knowing I am supporting honest farmers who let their products stand on their own merits.

Mikey wrote:LTH is a food forum not a political one, so I would rather keep this thread on a discussion of the olive oil itself. To make a purchasing decision on a non commodity product such as premium olive oil based on a fair trade claim is just ignorant.

Your first two sentences seem at odds.

Let's do try keep the discussion on the olive oil itself. Although the issue of fair trade is of interest to me and others on this board, this conversation is headed toward acrimony. Reduce heat, please.

Personally, I tend to support direct-trade products over fair trade. However, I'm quite pleased when I can purchase something that brings me closer to the grower. More than fair-trade, I also like the idea developing projects dedicated to sustainable agriculture in Palestine. I see that as absolutely positive. I also buy products produced in Kibutz's quite regularly. Someone on the other side of the Israel / Palestine debate might take issue with that as well.

In the end, I am a supporter of peace and can't find and contradiction in supporting the craft of olive farmers in a very troubled region. It's not so much about politics as it is about supporting non-commodity food products and productive economic development. It's certainly true that there are many other places to get fine olive oil. I'd just rather support what seems to be admirable economic development project in a place where it's incredibly difficult to maintain a thriving business considering the lack of a stable state, infrastructure, etc. Whose to blame for those conditions is beyond me, and perhaps the context of this conversation.

As for fair-trade in general, it's certainly not a sustainable answer to economic development in troubled countries. However, considering that many of our food products come from countries which have lax or non existent labor standards, I can't see the harm in the first world consumer joining in solidarity with the producers of their most valued commodities (especially when consider sugar, coffee, bananas and cacao).

I've been to several fair-trade coffee cooperatives in both Mexico and Guatemala, and can assure you that what's happening there is overwhelmingly positive. However, each project / cooperative is unique, and they are certainly not without their issues.

In general, I agree with what you are saying about purchasing products that stand on their own merit. In general though, I find that fair-trade / direct trade / alternative trade products to be of quite high quality.