Kisembo Saburole Jockas is a vanilla farmer from a village called Bumate in Bundibugyo District in the West of Uganda bordering the DR Congo. He is a member of a farming co-operative set up by Shared Interest’s customer Gourmet Gardens.  

Kisembo said: “I joined this group because many of the other buyers in the area play games with us, squeeze prices or only take the very best beans.  Some even forget to pay at all!  Gourmet Gardens accepts all good vanilla and pays fair prices.  They also provide advice on organic farming and pay without delay.”

Gourmet Gardens was set up in 2002 with the aim of becoming “renowned for outstanding products that are produced in harmony with nature and in a sustainable and fair relationship with the local producer.”

During the years of the war, the people of Congo suffered extensively and the local economy still offers few employment opportunities, despite the relative peace that has returned to the area. Agriculture is one of the worst hit sectors of the economy.

Our members’ capital helps Gourmet Gardens with their cash flow, enabling them to pay farmers at harvest time rather than once the order has been processed. In the case of vanilla it often takes up to 12 months to complete the harvest to sale process. This pre-payment is a great help to the likes of Kisembo.

Gourmet Gardens’ Operations Manager, Clemens Fehr said: “Establishing and running an organic and Fairtrade certified farmer group within the DRC is challenging. However, over the years we have found ways to deal with most of these issues. The exception remained access to adequate finance. The support of Shared Interest means that for the coming season onwards we will be able to buy the whole vanilla crop from the project group and we will be able to assure timely payments.”

“The co-operation with Shared Interest means adequate and long-term access to finance.”

Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade. Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation

Kisembo Saburole Jockas is a vanilla farmer from a village called Bumate in Bundibugyo District in the West of Uganda bordering the DR Congo. He is a member of a farming co-operative set up by Shared Interest’s customer Gourmet Gardens.  

Kisembo said: “I joined this group because many of the other buyers in the area play games with us, squeeze prices or only take the very best beans.  Some even forget to pay at all!  Gourmet Gardens accepts all good vanilla and pays fair prices.  They also provide advice on organic farming and pay without delay.”

Gourmet Gardens was set up in 2002 with the aim of becoming “renowned for outstanding products that are produced in harmony with nature and in a sustainable and fair relationship with the local producer.”

During the years of the war, the people of Congo suffered extensively and the local economy still offers few employment opportunities, despite the relative peace that has returned to the area. Agriculture is one of the worst hit sectors of the economy.

Our members’ capital helps Gourmet Gardens with their cash flow, enabling them to pay farmers at harvest time rather than once the order has been processed. In the case of vanilla it often takes up to 12 months to complete the harvest to sale process. This pre-payment is a great help to the likes of Kisembo.

Gourmet Gardens’ Operations Manager, Clemens Fehr said: “Establishing and running an organic and Fairtrade certified farmer group within the DRC is challenging. However, over the years we have found ways to deal with most of these issues. The exception remained access to adequate finance. The support of Shared Interest means that for the coming season onwards we will be able to buy the whole vanilla crop from the project group and we will be able to assure timely payments.”

“The co-operation with Shared Interest means adequate and long-term access to finance.”

Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade. Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation

Kisembo Saburole Jockas is a vanilla farmer from a village called Bumate in Bundibugyo District in the West of Uganda bordering the DR Congo. He is a member of a farming co-operative set up by Shared Interest’s customer Gourmet Gardens.  

Kisembo said: “I joined this group because many of the other buyers in the area play games with us, squeeze prices or only take the very best beans.  Some even forget to pay at all!  Gourmet Gardens accepts all good vanilla and pays fair prices.  They also provide advice on organic farming and pay without delay.”

Gourmet Gardens was set up in 2002 with the aim of becoming “renowned for outstanding products that are produced in harmony with nature and in a sustainable and fair relationship with the local producer.”

During the years of the war, the people of Congo suffered extensively and the local economy still offers few employment opportunities, despite the relative peace that has returned to the area. Agriculture is one of the worst hit sectors of the economy.

Our members’ capital helps Gourmet Gardens with their cash flow, enabling them to pay farmers at harvest time rather than once the order has been processed. In the case of vanilla it often takes up to 12 months to complete the harvest to sale process. This pre-payment is a great help to the likes of Kisembo.

Gourmet Gardens’ Operations Manager, Clemens Fehr said: “Establishing and running an organic and Fairtrade certified farmer group within the DRC is challenging. However, over the years we have found ways to deal with most of these issues. The exception remained access to adequate finance. The support of Shared Interest means that for the coming season onwards we will be able to buy the whole vanilla crop from the project group and we will be able to assure timely payments.”

“The co-operation with Shared Interest means adequate and long-term access to finance.”

Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade. Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation

Kisembo Saburole Jockas is a vanilla farmer from a village called Bumate in Bundibugyo District in the West of Uganda bordering the DR Congo. He is a member of a farming co-operative set up by Shared Interest’s customer Gourmet Gardens.  

Kisembo said: “I joined this group because many of the other buyers in the area play games with us, squeeze prices or only take the very best beans.  Some even forget to pay at all!  Gourmet Gardens accepts all good vanilla and pays fair prices.  They also provide advice on organic farming and pay without delay.”

Gourmet Gardens was set up in 2002 with the aim of becoming “renowned for outstanding products that are produced in harmony with nature and in a sustainable and fair relationship with the local producer.”

During the years of the war, the people of Congo suffered extensively and the local economy still offers few employment opportunities, despite the relative peace that has returned to the area. Agriculture is one of the worst hit sectors of the economy.

Our members’ capital helps Gourmet Gardens with their cash flow, enabling them to pay farmers at harvest time rather than once the order has been processed. In the case of vanilla it often takes up to 12 months to complete the harvest to sale process. This pre-payment is a great help to the likes of Kisembo.

Gourmet Gardens’ Operations Manager, Clemens Fehr said: “Establishing and running an organic and Fairtrade certified farmer group within the DRC is challenging. However, over the years we have found ways to deal with most of these issues. The exception remained access to adequate finance. The support of Shared Interest means that for the coming season onwards we will be able to buy the whole vanilla crop from the project group and we will be able to assure timely payments.”

“The co-operation with Shared Interest means adequate and long-term access to finance.”

Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade. Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation

Kisembo Saburole Jockas is a vanilla farmer from a village called Bumate in Bundibugyo District in the West of Uganda bordering the DR Congo. He is a member of a farming co-operative set up by Shared Interest’s customer Gourmet Gardens.  

Kisembo said: “I joined this group because many of the other buyers in the area play games with us, squeeze prices or only take the very best beans.  Some even forget to pay at all!  Gourmet Gardens accepts all good vanilla and pays fair prices.  They also provide advice on organic farming and pay without delay.”

Gourmet Gardens was set up in 2002 with the aim of becoming “renowned for outstanding products that are produced in harmony with nature and in a sustainable and fair relationship with the local producer.”

During the years of the war, the people of Congo suffered extensively and the local economy still offers few employment opportunities, despite the relative peace that has returned to the area. Agriculture is one of the worst hit sectors of the economy.

Our members’ capital helps Gourmet Gardens with their cash flow, enabling them to pay farmers at harvest time rather than once the order has been processed. In the case of vanilla it often takes up to 12 months to complete the harvest to sale process. This pre-payment is a great help to the likes of Kisembo.

Gourmet Gardens’ Operations Manager, Clemens Fehr said: “Establishing and running an organic and Fairtrade certified farmer group within the DRC is challenging. However, over the years we have found ways to deal with most of these issues. The exception remained access to adequate finance. The support of Shared Interest means that for the coming season onwards we will be able to buy the whole vanilla crop from the project group and we will be able to assure timely payments.”

“The co-operation with Shared Interest means adequate and long-term access to finance.”

Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade. Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation

Kisembo Saburole Jockas is a vanilla farmer from a village called Bumate in Bundibugyo District in the West of Uganda bordering the DR Congo. He is a member of a farming co-operative set up by Shared Interest’s customer Gourmet Gardens.  

Kisembo said: “I joined this group because many of the other buyers in the area play games with us, squeeze prices or only take the very best beans.  Some even forget to pay at all!  Gourmet Gardens accepts all good vanilla and pays fair prices.  They also provide advice on organic farming and pay without delay.”

Gourmet Gardens was set up in 2002 with the aim of becoming “renowned for outstanding products that are produced in harmony with nature and in a sustainable and fair relationship with the local producer.”

During the years of the war, the people of Congo suffered extensively and the local economy still offers few employment opportunities, despite the relative peace that has returned to the area. Agriculture is one of the worst hit sectors of the economy.

Our members’ capital helps Gourmet Gardens with their cash flow, enabling them to pay farmers at harvest time rather than once the order has been processed. In the case of vanilla it often takes up to 12 months to complete the harvest to sale process. This pre-payment is a great help to the likes of Kisembo.

Gourmet Gardens’ Operations Manager, Clemens Fehr said: “Establishing and running an organic and Fairtrade certified farmer group within the DRC is challenging. However, over the years we have found ways to deal with most of these issues. The exception remained access to adequate finance. The support of Shared Interest means that for the coming season onwards we will be able to buy the whole vanilla crop from the project group and we will be able to assure timely payments.”

“The co-operation with Shared Interest means adequate and long-term access to finance.”

Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade. Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation

Kisembo Saburole Jockas is a vanilla farmer from a village called Bumate in Bundibugyo District in the West of Uganda bordering the DR Congo. He is a member of a farming co-operative set up by Shared Interest’s customer Gourmet Gardens.  

Kisembo said: “I joined this group because many of the other buyers in the area play games with us, squeeze prices or only take the very best beans.  Some even forget to pay at all!  Gourmet Gardens accepts all good vanilla and pays fair prices.  They also provide advice on organic farming and pay without delay.”

Gourmet Gardens was set up in 2002 with the aim of becoming “renowned for outstanding products that are produced in harmony with nature and in a sustainable and fair relationship with the local producer.”

During the years of the war, the people of Congo suffered extensively and the local economy still offers few employment opportunities, despite the relative peace that has returned to the area. Agriculture is one of the worst hit sectors of the economy.

Our members’ capital helps Gourmet Gardens with their cash flow, enabling them to pay farmers at harvest time rather than once the order has been processed. In the case of vanilla it often takes up to 12 months to complete the harvest to sale process. This pre-payment is a great help to the likes of Kisembo.

Gourmet Gardens’ Operations Manager, Clemens Fehr said: “Establishing and running an organic and Fairtrade certified farmer group within the DRC is challenging. However, over the years we have found ways to deal with most of these issues. The exception remained access to adequate finance. The support of Shared Interest means that for the coming season onwards we will be able to buy the whole vanilla crop from the project group and we will be able to assure timely payments.”

“The co-operation with Shared Interest means adequate and long-term access to finance.”

Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade. Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation

Kisembo Saburole Jockas is a vanilla farmer from a village called Bumate in Bundibugyo District in the West of Uganda bordering the DR Congo. He is a member of a farming co-operative set up by Shared Interest’s customer Gourmet Gardens.  

Kisembo said: “I joined this group because many of the other buyers in the area play games with us, squeeze prices or only take the very best beans.  Some even forget to pay at all!  Gourmet Gardens accepts all good vanilla and pays fair prices.  They also provide advice on organic farming and pay without delay.”

Gourmet Gardens was set up in 2002 with the aim of becoming “renowned for outstanding products that are produced in harmony with nature and in a sustainable and fair relationship with the local producer.”

During the years of the war, the people of Congo suffered extensively and the local economy still offers few employment opportunities, despite the relative peace that has returned to the area. Agriculture is one of the worst hit sectors of the economy.

Our members’ capital helps Gourmet Gardens with their cash flow, enabling them to pay farmers at harvest time rather than once the order has been processed. In the case of vanilla it often takes up to 12 months to complete the harvest to sale process. This pre-payment is a great help to the likes of Kisembo.

Gourmet Gardens’ Operations Manager, Clemens Fehr said: “Establishing and running an organic and Fairtrade certified farmer group within the DRC is challenging. However, over the years we have found ways to deal with most of these issues. The exception remained access to adequate finance. The support of Shared Interest means that for the coming season onwards we will be able to buy the whole vanilla crop from the project group and we will be able to assure timely payments.”

“The co-operation with Shared Interest means adequate and long-term access to finance.”

Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade. Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation

Kisembo Saburole Jockas is a vanilla farmer from a village called Bumate in Bundibugyo District in the West of Uganda bordering the DR Congo. He is a member of a farming co-operative set up by Shared Interest’s customer Gourmet Gardens.  

Kisembo said: “I joined this group because many of the other buyers in the area play games with us, squeeze prices or only take the very best beans.  Some even forget to pay at all!  Gourmet Gardens accepts all good vanilla and pays fair prices.  They also provide advice on organic farming and pay without delay.”

Gourmet Gardens was set up in 2002 with the aim of becoming “renowned for outstanding products that are produced in harmony with nature and in a sustainable and fair relationship with the local producer.”

During the years of the war, the people of Congo suffered extensively and the local economy still offers few employment opportunities, despite the relative peace that has returned to the area. Agriculture is one of the worst hit sectors of the economy.

Our members’ capital helps Gourmet Gardens with their cash flow, enabling them to pay farmers at harvest time rather than once the order has been processed. In the case of vanilla it often takes up to 12 months to complete the harvest to sale process. This pre-payment is a great help to the likes of Kisembo.

Gourmet Gardens’ Operations Manager, Clemens Fehr said: “Establishing and running an organic and Fairtrade certified farmer group within the DRC is challenging. However, over the years we have found ways to deal with most of these issues. The exception remained access to adequate finance. The support of Shared Interest means that for the coming season onwards we will be able to buy the whole vanilla crop from the project group and we will be able to assure timely payments.”

“The co-operation with Shared Interest means adequate and long-term access to finance.”

Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade. Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation

Canaan Director Nasser Abufarha meeting with Tony Blair

Jenin, Palestine. November 19, 2009. Tony Blair, the economic representative of the Quartet, visited Canaan Fair Trade in the village of Burqin and pronounced it a showpiece of Palestinian economic development. Mr. Blair toured Canaan’s new $2.5 million facility on Tuesday, November 10. Canaan Director Nasser Abufarha met with the Blair delegation and presented the plant and products.

Canaan produces and exports premium olive oil and Palestinian foods made by the 1700 farm families of the Palestine Fair Trade Association. Within its first three years, Canaan became the largest exporter of olive oil from Palestine. Their products are sold in 12 countries around the world. More than $8 million in sales have come back to the farmers and the Palestinian economy in the last three years thanks to Canaan customers like Dr.Bronner’s Magic Soaps, and Alter Eco and Whole Foods in the US, Equal Exchange, Sainsbury, the Cooperative, and Zaytoun in the UK, Zatoun in Canada and DWP in Germany.

Dr. Abufarha said, “Economic development is a catalyst for peace in this region. Sound and fair economics can help our farm communities reach their potential and present creative venues for them to address their national and political aspirations.”

Canaan asked for Mr. Blair’s help in opening the doors for export business growth from the Jenin area by setting up measures to allow businesses to ship containers through the nearest checkpoint without hindrance and improper handling of food product by the Israeli security procedures. Canaan also asked to set up measures that would allow farmers to access their underground water resources currently denied by Israel.

Mr. Blair’s visit to the area was to inaugurate the opening of the Jalama checkpoint in the northern West Bank for the Galilee Palestinians to shop in Jenin. Commenting on the event, Dr. Abufarha said, “We hope that this beginning will lead to greater and more relaxed modes of economic and cultural exchanges between our people in Palestine and the Palestinians and Israelis across the barrier lines.”

Click here to learn how you can invest in fair trade. Click here to donate to the Shared Interest Foundation