Al-Safadi Foundation and the Cooperative Association for Development and Agricultural Products Manufacturing, in partnership with AIDA and funded by AECID, launch a new food production line for children's nutrition under the name APPA

Al-Safadi Foundation and the Cooperative Association for Development and Agricultural Products Manufacturing, in partnership with AIDA and funded by AECID, launch a new food production line for children's nutrition under the name APPA

Safadi Foundation and the Cooperative Association for Development and Agricultural Products Manufacturing in Akkar and Danniyeh have inaugurated a new production line dedicated to children’s food under the brand APPA, as part of the project “Improving the Sustainability and Productivity of Agricultural Food Industries.” The project is implemented by the foundation in partnership with the Spanish organization AIDA and funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) at the Al-Safadi Center for Rural Development in Deir Dalloum, Akkar.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Spain’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, Ms. Eva Granados Galliano; the Spanish Ambassador to Lebanon, represented by Mr. José Luis González García; Mr. Javier Gila, Head of AIDA Mission; Spain’s Honorary Consul, Mr. Houssam Qubaytar; Director or AECID Mrs Cecilia García Gasalla,  Head of the Humanitarian Action Office at AECID Ms Cristina Hernandez, Mr. Mohamed Al-Masri, representative of the Lebanese Minister of Agriculture; Mr. George Maqshar, Mayor of Deir Dalloum; Mr. Mustafa Saadeh, President of the Danniyeh Municipalities Union; Eng. Sonia Al-Abyad, Head of the Agricultural Department in North Lebanon; Ms. Ghada Beitar, Head of Agricultural Research in Akkar; Mr. Mohamed Abu Shaqra, Director of Agricultural Cooperatives in Akkar; representatives of local associations, cooperatives, partners, and the foundation’s team.

After the national anthem and opening remarks, Ms. Mary Jo Deeb, Head of Marketing and Development at Safadi Foundation, spoke about the project’s key achievements, particularly training farmers and empowering them with skills that transitioned them from traditional practices to modern, productive methods. She also emphasized the importance of the new production line for children’s nutrition, highlighting both its health and economic benefits, and reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment, together with its local and international partners, to supporting sustainable development in Akkar and Danniyeh.

Mr. George Maqshar, Mayor of Deir Dalloum, praised the significance of such projects, noting their contribution to creating employment opportunities for the people of Akkar in general and Deir Dalloum in particular, stimulating local commerce, and reinforcing the concept of sustainable development, which the municipality consistently prioritizes.

Ms. Eva Granados, Spain’s Minister of State for International Cooperation, underscored Spain’s commitment to supporting Lebanon not only during crises but also in creating opportunities, enhancing resilience, and promoting inclusive economic growth. She noted that this commitment is reflected in the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two countries in the agricultural and food sector. She added that the children’s food production project demonstrates how bilateral cooperation can translate into tangible and impactful results. She also highlighted that one of the key reasons for establishing this facility is that it provides stable employment opportunities for women in rural areas, emphasizing that women’s economic empowerment is a central pillar of Spain’s development cooperation, reflected in the recently launched Women’s Cooperation Strategy.

Following the speeches, attendees toured the APPA children’s food production facility and the olive processing plant. Three farmers were also presented with equipment kits as part of the project’s logistical and in-kind support, which will cover approximately 50, 60 farmers in the next phase.