What is a social enterprise?

2. What is a social enterprise? SOCIAL ENTERPRISES SELL GOODS AND SERVICES. THE PROFIT THEY MAKE IS REINVESTED BACK INTO THE BUSINESS OR LOCAL COMMUNITY. SOCIAL ENTERPRISES DELIVER A SPECIFIC SOCIAL AND/OR ENVIRONMENTAL MISSION. A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IS A DYNAMIC, ETHICAL AND MORE SUSTAINABLE WAY OF DOING BUSINESS.

3. Zaytoun’s MISSION STATEMENT ” Our mission is to delight our customers with premium quality products that are fairly traded, organically grown and sourced from small-scale farmers in Palestine while supporting the farming communities through trade rather than aid. 100% of our profits are reinvested into furthering this mission.  ”

5. Palestine • Land seizures, illegal settlements and the separation barrier have a severe economic impact on farmers in Palestine. They are faced with: • Restricted access to crops at critical points in the year because of settler and military actions • Restricted access to water • Checkpoints restrict access to domestic and international markets • Loss of land.

6. How did Zaytoun start? • Zaytoun was founded in 2004 to support the livelihoods of Palestinian farmers under occupation through fairly trading their olive oil. • The social enterprise bought the world’s first Fairtrade certified olive oil to market in 2009. • Initially customers put up payment in advance of receiving their oil, and a network of distributers grew in the UK, selling the olive oil to friends and family, at community stalls and from their homes. • Zaytoun has gone on to sell a wide range of Palestinian artisan foods in the UK and Ireland through wholesalers, independent shops, online and in Oxfam stores.

7. Fairtrade olive & almond farmer Mohammad Irsheid “I felt proud to see that there is a Palestinian product on sale in Britain. I felt so proud that we could produce this quality for the consumers, and for the welcome we received.”

8. ZAYTOUN’S VISION and VALUES These are expressed in six statements which explains how Zaytoun operates.

9. VISION and VALUES 1. To support a sustainable livelihood for the largest possible number of Palestinian producers through fair trade. • Zaytoun’s suppliers • Canaan Fair Trade: • sources from the 50 cooperatives and 1300 farmers • supports farmers through micro-loans, social support and education about sustainable agriculture. • Sindyanna, a women-led association working with marginalised Palestinians. • Palestine Gardens, an ethical source of dates. Date picking and packing

10. VISION and VALUES 2. To offer a tangible connection to the lives of Palestinian farming families More than a business • Zaytoun offers three different trips to Palestine each year so customers can discover more about the harsh realities of farming under military occupation. • During Fairtrade Fortnight Zaytoun hosts producers from Palestine to talk at customer events in the UK. • Trees for Life is a scheme suppling olive saplings to farmers and is actively supported by Zaytoun’s customers. So far 125,374 have been planted.

11. VISION and VALUES 3. To share the stories of Palestinian farmers and the challenges to their livelihoods • From tree to table, • every bottle tells a story. • Farmers in Palestine farmers face many challenges including: • Restricted access to their land and crops • Restricted access to water • Restricted access to investment • Access to domestic and international markets is restricted due to checkpoints and permits.

12. VISION and VALUES 4. To joyfully celebrate Palestinian culinary and cultural heritage • Zaytoun shares the quality of Palestinian produce with the UK foodie audience through: • Endorsement from chefs and cooks • Images from Palestine • Sharing recipes.

13. VISION and VALUES 5. To remain a profitable, ethical social enterprise A profitable, ethical enterprise In 2015 sales were up 22% year-on-year and passed £1 million for the first time. Olive oil and dates together accounted for 78% of sales.

14. VISION and VALUES 6. To offer high quality products which delight and inspire our customers Product range Olive oil – Fairtrade, Organic, extra virgin organic olive oil Medjouldates – rich and succulent, grown in the Jordan Valley Almonds – Fairtrade, the large, crunchy Om al-Fahem Za’atar– an aromatic herb mix produced from an indigenous variety of thyme Maftoul– A nutty grain made by hand from bulgur and whole wheat flour Freekeh– durum wheat harvested while green, roasted on an open fire and rubbed (fareek) to remove the husk and reveal an aromatic grain.

15. Inspiration and Marketing Evolution • In the beginning, Zaytouncustomers were mostly ethically motivated individuals • Today Zaytoun increasingly sells to the growing number of shoppers looking for fine food with provenance • People’s increased awareness of healthy eating and ‘ethical consumerism’ poses an exciting opportunity for Zaytoun.

16. The difference the Fairtrade Premium makes • The Fairtrade Premium supports the cooperatives, individual farmers and the Palestine Fair Trade Association. • It enables farmers to become better farmers as well as to diversify their income. “The most important thing to me is that I no longer have to work in an Israeli factory and be separated from my family and wife. I may have a humble house now but I make a decent living that allows me to go to sleep every night in my home with my wife and children, and not in a noisy factory. I consider myself to be a very lucky man.” Khader Khader, Nusf Ijbeil Co-operative

17. Social enterprise and access to finance • All businesses require some funding to start out and access to finance to continue trading. • While conventional businesses often use the owners’ capital or loans from banks, Zaytouns’ initial funding for the first shipment of olive oil came from hundreds of customers who provided payment in advance of receiving their oil. • Zaytoun has been able to borrow money from financial institutions, such as Triodos Bank, which specifically seek to lend to and invest in organisations that benefit people and the environment.

18. Committed to co-operation • As a social enterprise, Zaytoun works with a number of partners. For example, UNISON helped one supplier, Palestine Gardens, expand their date output. • Economies of scale are achieved by shipping with another social enterprise, Equal Exchange.