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Fair Olive Oil | Noa Olchovsky
The fair trade system is an alternative to the known trade system around the world called free trade. Free trade is a capitalist trade system, which holds to the ideal that all is fair and legitimate when it comes to making profits. As such, this is achieved through the unfair treatment of the working sector (the coffee field farmers, the sweatshop workers) - from paying under the local minimum wage, the forbiddance of workers unions, long and harsh working hours, to sometimes even direct physical abuse.
As opposed to the free trade system, fair trade allows producers to escape the brutalities of free trade and instead have the opportunity to provide for a just and honorable existence for the worker. This is accomplished through direct trade between the producer and the worker, and not through the involvement of third-party outsiders simply looking to make a profit.
The principles of fair trade include offering opportunities to small-time businesses, open management and trade relations, fair wages, producer autonomy, fair working conditions, gender equality and environmental responsibility.
Fair trade reminds us that products such as clothing and food do not magically appear on store shelves. These products are produced and harvested by human beings, living and contributing to the planet. The fair trade system acknowledges this, and thus holds the producers and their rights with the utmost respect.
Therefore it is of critical importance that we remember all of these issues when we take our part in the consumer cycle. It is in our hands to choose to support alternative trade systems, which are fair not only to our fellow man but to the environment.
Fair Olive Oil for sale in Green Action's office
The olive oil is produced in Bita village, located in the West Bank close to the Khawara roadblock. It is sold under the ideals of fair trade.
The village has a population of approximately 10,000 people. In the past there was a large and flourishing market drawing villagers from the entire area. It provided the main source of income for Bita as well as supplemented that of the surrounding area.
However, since the outbreak of the current intifadah, the market has virtually ceased to exist. This olive oil is one of the last sources of income for Bita’s residents.
1 liter: 20 NIS | 1.5: 30 NIS | 2 liter: 40 NIS
17 liter jerican: 320 NIS
Contact: Noa – 051-706306 03-5184770
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