Contributing writer: Maha El Solh
Food and Roots is a new innovative and socially-engaged brand that refines traditional Lebanese food products from rural areas across Lebanon to fit modern life. Developed and launched by the Food Heritage Foundation (FHF) and supported by the Environment and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU) at the American University of Beirut (AUB), the brand endeavors to empower and create market access for local small-scale producers by gathering, packaging and selling their products via several urban points of sale.
As part of its seed to table approach, Food and Roots sources ingredients and food for its range of ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, processed mouneh and fresh produce products from carefully chosen small-scale producers made up of farmers and cooperatives from different rural areas in Lebanon. This network of producers have all previously participated in training sessions conducted as part of different projects that ESDU is involved in.
The added value of Food and Roots is that it implements proper quality control, food safety standards, climate-smart approaches and sustainable agricultural practices that are designed to sustain rural communities in their lands. Additionally, all their products rely on seasonal ingredients and traditional rural specialties that have no preservatives and additives.
Despite all the challenges Lebanon has been facing from the financial crisis and the pandemic, the Food and Roots team has persevered and succeeded in launching the brand in different points of sale in the Beirut area, to continue their mission of empowering rural communities and connecting them to urban customers by selling their healthy and unique food products.
In March, Food and Roots launched their website where all their products can be found and delivered to your doorstep across Lebanon. In addition to ordering their products from their website, they will eventually be available for purchase from various urban points of sale. With time, they will expand their selection of mouneh products.
For those interested in discovering the unique recipes of rural communities, Food and Roots will be offering ready-to-eat products and ready-to-cook meals which will be prepared by the Akleh Community Kitchen in collaboration with a consultant chef that will refine their rural flavors with a modern twist.
Food and Roots started displaying and selling their products in different events across Beirut during the Christmas season. Customers bought a wide range of products including herbs, pastes, molasses, olives, dairy and grains. To benefit from networking opportunities and attract customers and potential retailers, Food and Roots will be present at different events and exhibitions in Lebanon during 2021.
Discover their products: www.foodandroots.com
Follow them on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodandroots
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodnroots/
Email: hello@foodandroots.com
Call them on: +961 78 835 679
More mouth-watering photos of Food and Roots products:
