Dura Cooperative for Agricultural Production is located along the busy streets, near Hebron at the local market where women display their products that include maftoul, yoghurt products (labneh, cheese, and dried yogurt), raisins, molasses (grape syrup), grape jam, dried herbs, and zaatar. They have received training in food processing from Oxfam and the Center for Economic and Social Development in Palestine.
A “behind the scenes” tour leads us into the adjoining kitchen and workrooms, where the women actually gather to start baking maltoot (bread), which is prepared at social events such as weddings and funerals, but also during the olive harvest as it requires a great deal of olive oil. Women receive orders of up to 200 loaves from the local community on such occasions.
Meanwhile, Hoda Shadid, the association’s president, shares the news and the challenges she faces. The good news is that they recently signed a contract with a local company that will enable them to hire 20 women. One of the challenges they face is the very expensive rent.