Initiated in 2018 by chef Ebru Baybara Demir, the Topraktan Tabağa social cooperative has continued to grow and multiply its projects. To revitalize local agriculture, and in response to conventional farming methods that harm small producers, the cooperative promotes environmentally-friendly practices, such as reviving ancient crops like Sorgül wheat, using traditional methods that save water, energy and fertilizers. By purchasing their produce at fair prices, and transforming it into quality products for consumers, it enables small-scale farms to prosper.
From Soil to Plate prioritizes the employment of women, with the production of Aleppo soap under the Şemim Soaps brand, or their training in cooking with the “There is hope in the kitchen” program. The organization is also setting up projects to help Syrian refugees, of whom there are many in this southern Turkish province, through vocational training. The aim is to return the work these people know best to the economy and help them earn a sustainable income.
Today, From Soil to plate is self-financing. The cooperative employs nearly 50 people and markets the products of 170 farmers via an e-commerce site and five sales outlets.
