In 2015, in the serene hills of North Lebanon, Bilal (not his real name), a 32-year-old mechanical and aeronautical engineer, made a life-changing decision. Rather than seek a career abroad or a low-income job, he chose to invest in his own land and founded a dairy farm with a handful of cows and a big dream.
“My goal was to build something strong, clean, and sustainable right here in Lebanon,” Bilal explained.
After some success, the farm’s journey took a major leap forward in 2024 when International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), through a French Development Agency (AFD) supported School Canteen Program, stepped in to help small agricultural producers across the country. Food from these local producers is used to supply the school feeding program, ensuring sustainable and healthy nutrition for Lebanon’s youth.
With IOCC’s support, the dairy farm was able to make essential upgrades to its operations—focusing especially on food safety and hygiene standards. “With IOCC’s support, we’ve learned more about temperature-controlled pasteurization processes, proper sterilization protocols, and labeling and storage systems that keep everything off the ground and away from contamination.”
The improvements have already made a visible difference. “Every product is consistent, clean, and meets food safety standards and undergoes laboratory testing before dispatch. The training changed everything,” Bilal mentioned.
By supporting local farms such as Bilal’s, IOCC is enabling agricultural producers and entrepreneurs to provide healthy food to their communities, giving students the essential nutrition they need to realize their dreams.
