Bottles of fair trade olive oil are displayed inside Canaan Fair Trade's newly opened boutique near Jenin. (Amanda Nunn)

Canaan Fair Trade uses the fair trade concept to empower marginalized Palestinian rural communities caught in conflict so they can sustain their livelihoods and culture, and in the process has vastly improved the lives of thousands of Palestinian farmers and their extended families across the West Bank.

Canaan has built direct working relationships with these communities, paying sustainable prices for their agricultural products to ensure fair wages and labor standards throughout the supply chain.

Farmers are supported in enhancing production procedures and product quality, building their capacities to work collectively, and selling their products to international markets.

Through the use of informational lectures and training in the field, Canaan Fair Trade has educated thousands of small farmers about sustainable practices and conversion to certified organic production.

By giving incentives to produce a high quality product, Canaan and its partners have worked to reestablish traditional sustainable farming in Palestine, allowing small farmers to earn a livelihood despite the harsh economic situation faced by Palestinians living in the Israeli-occupied territories.

In addition, fair trade provides a vehicle for alternative cultural expression and the opportunity for communities caught in conflict to connect with the outside world.

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Mahmoud Issa, Fair Trade Olive Farmer
'Anin

"Fair trade has truly revitalized the olive farming sector in many parts of the West Bank by guaranteeing farmers fair prices and living wages. In the past, we were often forced to sell our products at a loss due to the economic situation, but fair trade has re-established thousands of small farmers' faith in the sustainability of the agricultural sector in Palestine. In addition, we have been able to establish a more direct relationship with our consumers, who are assured of the quality and purity of the oil we produce."



Jaber Sadiq Al-Kerem, Fair Trade Olive Farmer
Jalqamus


"Fair trade has been our savior in the face of the dire economic situation in our country. By participating in workshops and lectures, we have learned the techniques of organic farming, which allow us to produce pure, natural oil, and have gained access to the most advanced extraction facility in Palestine. This has allowed us to greatly improve the quality of our oil - and fair trade principles guarantee that we receive fair prices for our products."



Ahmed Ibrahim Sa'ideh, Mechanical Engineer
Silat al-Harithiya


"The fact that fair trade has enabled us to market Palestinian products in Europe and North America is an enormous source of pride for us as Palestinians. Fair trade has introduced us to a new, sustainable way of doing business, reinvigorated our work ethic, greatly increased productivity, and has made us realize that Palestine, too, is able to compete with products from around the world on the global market."



Mahmoud Sbeh, Fair Trade Olive Farmer
Kafr Rai


"For more than four years, we sold our oil without making a profit. Fair trade allows us to sell our oil for a good price, which motivates farmers to take better care of their agricultural lands and olive trees. For instance, we have learned to farm without using harmful chemicals and pesticides, which not only improves the quality of our products - but is also good for our health, our land and our environment."



Nasser Abufarha, Canaan Fair Trade and PFTA founder
Al Jalama/Wisconsin


"The increase in income that fair trade has brought to thousands of families has been vital to small farmers in Palestine, but fair trade isn't just about the price. We have given farmers hope. An economic exchange that recognizes Palestinian farmers' rights and respects the value of their connection to their land, after years of marginalization under Israeli occupation, is a major accomplishment."