Atayeb Al Rif Cooperative (also known as Rural Delights) is a marketing cooperative that was established as a result of a developmental project implemented by YMCA USA-Lebanon that aimed at providing rural women in Lebanon with income generation opportunities. Being a hub for more than 40 women-owned rural cooperatives, Atayeb Al Rif aims at producing 100% natural and authentic Lebanese foods that follow traditional recipes while respecting the standards of food safety and hygiene. Atayeb Al Rif Cooperative currently supports and follows-up with the cooperatives’ operations and markets the products under the brand-name “Lebanese Village Products”. Products include an array of authentic foods “Mouneh” including jams, syrups, dried fruits, distilleries, pickles, molasses, vinegar, dairy, olive oil, food in oil (makdous), za’atar, honey and sweets as well as handmade articles, soap, candles and much more. Products are available at the head-office and at Rural Delights Boutique – Gemmayze which is a new concept and initiative to help market Lebanese food and non-food products in Beirut. The boutique serves as a focal sales point that groups rural producers to supports their access to the market.

Atayeb Al Rif currently implements its own projects and supports the network of cooperatives as well as others (including small enterprises, farmers, Syrian refugees and individuals with special needs). Consequently, Atayeb Al Rif Cooperative works with different donor agencies, local NGOs and the private sector. One of the recent projects is the “Sustainable Opportunities for Fair Trade Activities in Rural Areas” (SOFAIR) project, a 3-year project funded by the U.S. Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and implemented in partnership with Fair Trade Lebanon. SOFAIR aims at enhancing the economic activities and status of 14 women-owned cooperatives and 8 SMEs in rural areas with a focus on expanding their market linkages.