Food, film and foraging

A fundraiser for Palestine

Spend a late summer afternoon in one of London’s most beautiful community farms, with a feast, a film and a walk through the garden — all in support of Palestine.

We’re thrilled that Sally Azzam — Palestinian chef and Amos team member — will be cooking a Palestinian late summer feast using seasonal ingredients straight from the garden, in the lovely setting of OrganicLea Community Farm in Lea Valley. Expect the kind of cooking that makes a table feel like home: bright, herby, generous and full of flavour.

Film

Once we’ve eaten, we’ll settle in for a screening of Foragers (2022, 64 mins), directed by Jumana Manna. Moving between documentary and fiction, the film follows the quiet drama between the Israeli Occupation Nature Protection Authority and Palestinian foragers gathering wild herbs on land that’s rightfully theirs.

It’s told with a wry sense of humour, capturing inherited love, resilience and knowledge against an unmistakably political backdrop. The film is in Arabic and Hebrew with English subtitles.

Afterwards, Sally will talk us through the impact of Israel’s restrictions on foraging and how these policies have been used to sever Palestinians from their relationship with the land.

Zaytoun

We’re also delighted to welcome Heather Masoud, co-founder of Zaytoun— the social enterprise supplying fair-trade Palestinian produce — for a conversation on the challenges facing farmers in the West Bank today. You’ll be able to support Palestinian farmers directly at the event, with Zaytoun produce on sale and Palestinian wine to enjoy alongside your meal.

A guided walk

To round off the afternoon, our hosts at OrganicLea will lead a 30-minute guided walk through the garden, pointing out the edible herbs and plants growing on site. Together, we’ll forage the makings of a fresh herbal tea, brewed and shared as we reflect on everything we’ve heard.

This is a chance to gather, eat well, and learn what life looks like for farmers and foragers in Palestine today — while hearing more about Amos Trust’s work in Gaza and the West Bank.

All funds raised go directly towards Amos Trust's vital work in Gaza and the West Bank.

Come along and stand with Palestine.

Description supplied by the event organiser.