Celebrating Eating Locally

"Preparations are underway for the worldwide celebration of Slow Food’s 20th anniversary and ‘Eating Locally’ on Terra Madre Day this December 10. With just over a month until the big day, people from all corners of the world are planning a wide range of actitivites and events which will be as diverse and unique as the communities holding them - from a shared dinner under an elephant at the Tolouse Natural history museum in France, to a community folk festival in Bangladesh, and a fish canning party in the USA.

In Africa, the Slow Food Mukono convivium in Uganda is bringing together their members with school children, producers, consumers, teachers, parents, and local leaders, for a huge Eat-In - a shared meal of dishes made from local ingredients to represent the nation’s different food traditions. In Kenya, the Nyanza convivium is establishing a garden for indigenous crops and seed saving while the Central Rift convivium is linking artisan chefs with artisan farmers. In Cuba, the Las Terrazas food community is running a full-day program: planting of food trees with children from a local pre-school, a lunch for local farmers prepared by students from the “Cocina Ecologica” association, a community tasting of local juices and foods and a film screening. Meanwhile, in Australia Slow Food Sunshine Coast is inviting everyone to follow the 'Snail Trail' through the region, where they will be able to sample local ingredients and meet producers, as well as attend several Eat-Ins in parks." - from the official Slow food website.

Today I have a meeting with Slow Food founding members to decide on the Lebanese Event, I shall keep you posted!

Photo Exhibition at Green Party Lebanon

Now for a lighter subject, 25 of my photos have been chosen to make a photo exhibition at The Green Party Lebanon. If you are interested to see the exhibition, it is situated at Natour Bldg. 3rd Floor, Maaraad Street - Downtown Beirut. I'd like to thank Mr. Pierre Bared, author of Made in Lebanon, for making this possible.

State of Emergency Over Poisoned Produce

I don't know about you, but I'm really worried about this issue. How long have we been eating these poisoned fruits and vegetables. I read that this is causing cancer in the long run. I'm really afraid for us - the Lebanese - our families, our friends... Shame on those who are not doing a thing about this, this is a disaster!

MP Qabbani urges state of emergency over poisoned produce

Daily Star staff
Monday, November 09, 2009

BEIRUT: The Agriculture Ministry should declare a state of food emergency, said Beirut MP Mohammad Qabbani Sunday, following growing concern about poisoned fruits and vegetables in the local market.

Qabbani condemned the chaotic situation in Lebanon and accused the government and the country’s authorities of negligence in supervising agricultural products, calling the phenomenon a “mass” crime. Qabbani urged the judiciary and state supervisory bodies to intervene in the matter in order to determine who was responsible for the negligence and to punish them. “Those who collaborated in this affair with full knowledge of its dangers should be accused for being partners in a murder,” he said.

The MP also called on the authorities to immediately pass a food-safety draft law that was authored in 2003 and urged civil society to put pressure on politicians. He urged the organization Consumers Lebanon to step in and oversee the agricultural product sector.

“Stop your indifference and act. The danger not only threatens your neighbors it also threatens your life and the lives of your families,” he added, addressing the public.

But, head of the Association of the Farmers of the South, Hani Safieddine, asked politicians and officials not to exaggerate the matter and to deal with it in “a scientific and objective way.” Safieddine made the remarks at a news conference in Tyre on Sunday. “The random manner in which the case is being handled harms Lebanon’s agricultural reputation,” he said.

Safieddine added that the association was conducting tests to verify whether or not poisonous substances were present in food products and confirmed that no such substances were found so far in the south. He also called on the government to provide experts to handle the case.

Safieddine also said that the association would present a gentlemen’s agreement that would oblige farmers to abide by international agricultural standards.

Several figures had previously cast light on this issue. Zouhair Berro, the head of the Consumers’ Protection Association, said on Friday that the government should declare a state of emergency over the matter, criticizing official negligence in the agricultural sector and demanding that officials publicize information about the proper use of pesticides.

He said that illegal pesticides were being used in spraying fruits and vegetables. “Some of these chemicals are banned internationally but they are being smuggled to Lebanon and used by farmers,” Berro said adding that poisonous chemicals were found not only in Lebanese products but also in imported goods. “Strawberry samples coming from four Arab countries were tested and they contain pesticides residues of around 46 times more than the average approved internationally.”

Beirut MP Atef Majdalani, a physician, has also voiced his concern about poisoned fruits and vegetables, demanding that the food safety draft law be passed. The law was presented in 2003 but its ratification was suspended because of a fight over jurisdiction, Majdalani said last week. – The Daily Star

more....


Politicians' squabbles lead to poisonous produce

Daily Star staff
Friday, November 06, 2009

BEIRUT: Toxic substances could be present in fruit and vegetables and Lebanon should revive the food-safety law of 2003, warned MP Atef Majdalani on Thursday. Majdalani issued a statement in which he voiced his concern that all Lebanese were in danger of poisoning from fruit and vegetables due to the government’s neglect. He called for reopening the file of the food safety draft law presented in 2003 by late Minister Bassil Fleihan. The statement added that the draft law aimed at monitoring food in the country in order to guarantee people’s health. It however said that parliamentary discussions concerning the law were halted after the agriculture minister and the industry minister at the time refused it, claiming it deprived the ministries of their authorities. “The Lebanese are paying the price of fights over authorities … today we are witnessing ministries claiming they are not responsible and transferring responsibility to other ministries,” the statement also said. – The Daily Star


in L'orient le Jour today:


Les pesticides au Liban, un fiasco agricole et économique

Par Dalal MEDAWAR | 10/11/2009

L’accumulation dans le foie et le rein de matières toxiques contenues dans certains pesticides utilisés au Liban peut provoquer un cancer à long terme.
L’accumulation dans le foie et le rein de matières toxiques contenues dans certains pesticides utilisés au Liban peut provoquer un cancer à long terme.
Liban - Agriculture Le secteur de l'agriculture risque de souffrir des retombées économiques du scandale des fruits et légumes dits cancérigènes car contenant des résidus de produits chimiques.

Le ministre sortant de l'Environnement, Antoine Karam, a récemment dénoncé l'usage « arbitraire » des pesticides par les agriculteurs. En effet, les taux de pesticides contenus dans presque la moitié de notre production nationale de fruits et légumes sont anormalement élevés. Ils seraient potentiellement responsables à long terme de maladies cancérigènes.
Au cours d'un entretien avec la publication électronique al-Nashra, M. Karam a déclaré que « 40 % en moyenne des cultures » étaient touchées par ce problème, avec une proportion de produits agricoles souillés variant d'une région à l'autre. Malheureusement, alors que la majorité des ministères concernés se lancent la pierre à tour de bras, un secteur en particulier devrait faire les frais de cette débâcle : l'agriculture libanaise et, à travers elle, l'économie dans son ensemble. Comme d'habitude.

Un phénomène de masse
Le problème est qu'au-delà de celui, très grave, qui nous touche directement en tant que consommateurs, les chiffres cités par Antoine Karam touchent de près le secteur agricole dans son intégralité.
Une étude parue en 2004 et intitulée « Les filières fruits et légumes frais au Liban : structures, fonctionnement et perspectives » a été réalisée par Jean-Claude Montigaud pour l'Union européenne, l'ambassade de France, l'Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture (FAO) ainsi que le gouvernement libanais. Selon cette étude, le Liban a produit plus de deux millions de tonnes de fruits et légumes en 2001, constituant 3,5 % du produit intérieur brut (PIB) ou presque 600 millions de dollars. Si 40 % des cultures sont effectivement touchées par la crise des pesticides, les dégâts risquent de ce fait d'être graves, notamment au niveau des exportations.
Plus en détail, et toujours d'après Antoine Karam, 40 % des fraises, 32 % des oranges, 30 % des tomates, 49 % des concombres, 14 % des citrons, 33 % des prunes et 100 % des courgettes contiendraient des résidus de pesticides, nocifs en théorie et donc impropres à la consommation car « le lavage n'élimine pas les pesticides et les maladies n'apparaissent qu'après des années ».
En se basant sur les statistiques de 2001 citées dans l'étude de J-C Montigaud concernant la production agricole libanaise, cela voudrait dire qu'environ 12 000 tonnes de fraises, 100 000 tonnes de concombres, ou encore 11 000 tonnes de prunes seraient affectées par la présence de pesticides.
En ce qui concerne les exportations, un rapport paru en 2006 du ministère de l'Agriculture indique que 400 019 tonnes de fruits et légumes ont été exportées au cours de l'année, dont 58 804 tonnes d'oranges et plus de 16 000 tonnes de citrons. Les tomates ont quant à elles représenté en 2002 une production de 273 000 tonnes, avec 6 500 tonnes d'exportées. La perte sèche occasionnée par un refoulement potentiel de ces produits aux frontières des pays importateurs, notamment les pays du Golfe, s'évaluerait alors à des millions de dollars.

Pourquoi, comment, solutions ?
Le problème ne date pas d'hier. Cela fait des années que plusieurs autres organisations non gouvernementales dénoncent les pratiques agricoles illégales en vigueur dans l'ensemble du pays. Plusieurs décrets ont pourtant été votés pour réguler l'utilisation des pesticides et fongicides (la liste complète est disponible sur le site du ministère de l'Agriculture), mais le scandale récent lié à leur usage immodéré semble démontrer que ces mesures n'ont apparemment pas été appliquées, ou respectées par les agriculteurs.
M. Élia Choueiri, de l'Institut de recherches agricoles libanais (IRAL), a déclaré à L'Orient-le Jour que les pesticides représentaient un réel danger : « L'accumulation des matières toxiques dans le foie ou les reins peut provoquer un cancer à long terme. De plus, les enfants en bas âge sont beaucoup plus fragiles et donc susceptibles d'être gravement touchés par les effets nocifs des pesticides. Les cultures annuelles, comme la culture maraîchère et les cultures sous serre, notamment les concombres, les fraises et les tomates sont parmi les plus dangereuses à la consommation, si polluées. En effet, la chaleur élevée en serre favorise la multiplication des maladies et des insectes nuisibles, d'où une utilisation abusive de pesticides. Souvent, les agriculteurs ne respectent pas les délais d'attente obligatoires. J'ai moi-même vu certains d'entre eux récolter les fruits 48 heures après les avoir arrosés de matières chimiques toxiques. » Alors, quelles sont les solutions ?
Pour M. Choueiri, les solutions sont évidentes : une meilleure coordination entre les différents ministères et services, une législation claire, appliquée sur l'ensemble du territoire, un contrôle strict des produits agricoles, des ateliers de formation mis en place pour et par les agriculteurs, des séminaires de vulgarisation, de meilleures normes de stockage et d'hygiène au niveau des pesticides qui sont souvent très inflammables et de leur date de péremption... « Le problème réside surtout dans l'anarchie totale en vigueur dans ce pays. Les agriculteurs vont consulter n'importe quel charlatan qui a ouvert boutique au village, lequel en contrepartie leur revend des produits dangereux et surtout interdits à la vente, tel ce fongicide interdit en Europe depuis 2008 et que j'ai vu circuler librement au Liban. »
Il est néanmoins trop facile d'accuser l'agriculteur lambda d'irresponsabilité : le ministre sortant de l'Agriculture Élie Skaff, déclarait pourtant hier que l'agriculteur libanais était « le premier responsable de la violation des normes internationales dans l'utilisation des pesticides ». Certains exploitants ayant connaissance de cause sont effectivement plus que coupables.
Néanmoins, au vu de la crise de l'agriculture au Liban et la difficulté de certains producteurs à écouler leur marchandise en raison de la concurrence des pays voisins, peut-être serait-il plus judicieux de poursuivre une politique de coordination, d'information, de formation et de subventions au lieu de stigmatiser.

Coffe Morning at the Belgium Ambassador's House

Today I was invited by Mrs. Kathlyn Verkammen, wife of the Belgium ambassador, to give a speech on my work at their resident. I had two teams of producers come and discuss their story and show off their goods too. Nelly and Mona, better known as Imm Ali, joined us to make their delightful man'oushe with their homemade cheese, chanklish, and the traditional za'atar. Amal Harb, from Ajaltoun, came to sell and showcase her mouneh items. I spoke of my work: Man'oushe, the coming book Mouneh, and about the Slow Food foundation and Slow Food Beirut. The women seemed very interested and the ambiance was very friendly. We all discussed the important issue concerning pesticides and its use and abuse in vegetables all around Lebanon. I fear that now it's time to go 100% organic when all these issues are going on, especially that my children are eating all these fruits and vegetables. Don't these farmers have children? I am really concerned! Is making a dollar so important that they have to poison the society? What a crime... I shall be going to the farmer's market very soon to make a deal with a farmer to get poison-free vegetables! What about you?

A New Address for Fish

Today went to a lovely restaurant apparently known to a few selected customers, the fish eating type! Nestled on the road going to Saida in Khaldeh overlooking the Mediterranean sea, this cozy restaurant serves a very tasty meal. My favorite dish, apart from the barbecued fish, was the tarrator sauce seasoned with coriander, garlic, slices of green hot pepper, and a sprinkle of lemon juice. Out of this world! The raw fish in lemon sauce is quite tasty too... I highly recommend this restaurant. The prices are fair, a bit on the high end. Ask for Sayah Hassoun, the owner and the name of the restaurant. He speaks German too... For reservations, call 05-801022 or 03-206030.

An Unexpected Call

I was taking a little nap Friday afternoon, before the kids came from school. My mobile rang, "no!" I continued sleeping, can't be bothered with this now... I need a rest! I looked at the number and did not recognize it. It was not the school calling, as far I was concerned it was not an emergency. I went back to my comfortable long-awaited sleep. Nothing like it! Ten minutes later, again, the same number...
I put on my best "awakened" voice, it was the Minister of Culture, Tammam Salam. It took me a minute to focus, then I remembered I sent him my book. What a nice man, he congratulated me on the book, said the photos were great and that he was very keen on taking pictures himself, having learned from his father. He spoke about the book for a while and apologized for not having seen it before. What a nice gesture to have taken the time personally to call me, I really appreciated it... It gave me a boost to continue my very strenuous endeavor - finishing mouneh!!! I told him that now he was obliged to attend my next book signing, he agreed and we promised to keep in touch. I don't know if he will continue in politics in the new government that is being formed, but it was a real treat to have met Mr. Salam, and now I have a new fan!

Spicy Potatoes (Patata Harra)

This is one of my favorite recipes (learned it in my training days too):

What you need:
potatoes - 1kg
chicken stock - a ladle or two
coriander - a bunch chopped
vegetable oil - a bit
olive oil - a bit
tomato paste - 2 tbs.
red pepper paste - 1 tbs., this will depend on how spicy you want it!
garlic cut very finely - 4-5 cloves
lemon juice - 1/4 cup
salt and pepper to taste

Method of preparation:
1. wash, peel and cut the potatoes into even cubes.
2. deep-fry them for 5 minutes (not more), strain through a sieve.
3. in a large saucepan, add vegetable oil and olive oil, fry the garlic.
4. In a mixing bowl blend tomato paste and red pepper paste, pour the lemon and the chicken stock. Add to the frying garlic in the saucepan. Heat for 2 minutes. Add the coriander.
5. Throw in the potatoes, cook for 3-5 minutes. Add the salt and pepper. Careful, don't break the potatoes and make sure the juice is evenly distributed.
6. Serve hot! Sahteyn...

This will make a large serving enough for a family of 5 - 6.



You will absolutely love it!

A Book for Children on the Mouneh

The book is entitled The Days of Mouneh. This is a book written and designed by a mother and her daughter Youmna Jazzar Medlej and Joumana Medlej. They make an excellent team because Youmna makes all the necessary research to write the book and Joumana, an artist, draws the story to bring it to life. The book The Days of Mouneh is a book depicting the Mouneh of our ancestors. It begins with a grandmother washing her jars and her grandchildren asking lots of questions...The grandmother starts her narration by explaining step by step the mouneh to her grandchildren. She speaks of village life, of harvest time, of pickling, of salt marshes,of dairy products, of meat preserve, of collecting honey, of preserving different fruits and vegetables, of arak making, and many other subjects. The book is full of so much information easily presented to children to understand and grasp the subject. You can understand how happy I was when the book came out. I bought it for every birthday my children were invited to because I wanted all children to know of the subject. I really hope they took the time to read it carefully. These two artists have many other books under their sleeves pertaining to Lebanon and its heritage and traditions.
Ask your librarian to show you were they are stacked, because sometimes they are hidden somewhere very deep. It upsets me so!!! It's really good reading for both Lebanese and foreign children alike.... and for adults too... I have read all their books cover to cover... Look out for their new release on the ancient city of Tyre.

Birth of Tawlet Souk el Tayeb

Got an interesting invite, it's open to all ...

Meet us for a meghli, a drink, and Tony Mouanie's food music to celebrate the birth of Tawlet Souk el Tayeb

Thursday November 5 at 5pm

Beirut, sector 79
Naher street, n˚ 12 (Jisr el hadid)
Chalhoub building, n˚ 22 - Ground floor
facing Spoiler Center, dead end street at the corner of Anthurium flower shop
left side, corner bldg

The Book Mouneh is Coming Alive

After a few trials and what not... the book is coming alive... I'm so pleased to see it all coming together... Years of work, research, and worries will now all go forgotten when the book will be printed. This weekend Mirna Hamady, the graphic designer working on the layouts, and I met to discuss the changes and alterations needed to make the book SHINE! Last night, she sent me the result... I was so happy! It's starting to look like an actual book. What is so exciting is seeing the words and photos come together in an artistic way. We are presently conquering the winter months (December-January-February). I can't wait until we work on Spring, my absolute favorite season. This is how the book starts because this is when life starts... Trees start blooming with spectacular ranges of colors. I will ask Mirna to give me a spread so you can get a glimpse. If you know of anyone who would be interested to buy a quantity before I start printing, please let me know, as this would help me to decrease printing costs.... How unromantic to talk about that!!! I am thinking of doing an Arabic version too. I want all the producers and farmers to read every single word of my book for it is their book too. I could not have done it without them. I appreciate all their advice, their hospitality, their generosity, and more importantly their friendship.

I must stop writing now, for I have to write about Hadi Sayegh, the pine nuts (snoo'bar) producer. He has left a job in construction to work in nature in the midst of pine trees and forests... I envy him... His story is quite interesting... I shall develop it for you in the Mouneh book :)

A relative of Hadi who owns a production plant which produces mass quantities of pine nuts.


Hadi and the Sheick... when I met the Sheick at first, he was very cold with me... thinking I was a foreigner, who knows... at the end of our meeting, he invited me to come with my family to spend a summer day with his family in this hut to have a picnic. He insisted that I visit him again. Meeting him was definately memorable and I learned so much from him.