Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 500ml bottle

Olive farming is both economically and culturally important in the West Bank. Many of the olive trees on these farms have been passed down from generation to generation, representing deep familial ties to the land. The farmers work closely with the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee (PARC), who provide technical assistance, processing facilities, quality testing, and exporting services, as well as relatively low cost olive pressing. PARC also shares best practices for pruning and plowing, in addition to other agricultural trainings. As a nonprofit organization they promote the sustainable economic development of 41 farmer cooperatives, improve water supply and critical infrastructure, and provide social services for women, children, and families in the West Bank. Why is there no organic seal on this season's harvest of PARC extra virgin olive oil? As you might imagine, it's incredibly difficult for Palestinian farmers to get organic certification. PARC has relied on certifying bodies from other countries to maintain its organic certification on olive oil. Most recently, PARC hoped to work with the Turkish Inspection Body, ETKO. But, after a long and drawn-out bureaucratic process, the inspector was ultimately denied permission to complete the final in-person inspection stage due to new Israeli procedures for entry. After this occurred, Equal Exchange made the decision, together with PARC, to drop the organic certification on the product as it was clear that we wouldn't be able to order this year if organic certification was a requirement. This product is made with olives from the same trees, by the same farmers, using the same farming methods you've come to expect. We've just dropped the certification so we cannot use the word "organic" on the label. For next year's certification process the Company of Organic Agriculture in Palestine is in the process of getting its own inspector trained to do certifications in-country, and PARC should be able to obtain official organic certification once again. We hope that you savor this PARC olive oil and understand that certifications aren't always quick or automatic; sometimes they're mired in bureaucracy or politics.