Apple Bouquet
In 2021, the year the Apple Bouquet initiative was launched, Lebanon was going through a difficult time due to severe economic and electricity crises. Because of the high cost of running generators to power refrigeration systems, storing apples became very expensive — people had to pay an additional $5 per apple box just for electricity.
To tackle this issue, innovative solutions were explored, such as transforming surplus apples into value-added products like cider and processed foods. These initiatives aimed to provide both economic and environmental benefits, especially since exporters were only willing to pay around $2.50 per box.
Objective: Add value to seasonal apple surpluses and revive traditional apple uses
Market positioning: Thoughtfully crafted gift and specialty product for urban consumers and food service providers during autumn festivals and holidays, offering a blend of tradition and creativity, highlighting care and a personal touch, and making it an ideal choice for those looking to give a gift that is both meaningful and memorable.
The Apple Bouquet initiative is an innovative project that transforms Lebanon’s seasonal apple surpluses into creative, high-value products, reviving traditional uses of this beloved fruit while raising awareness about the importance of supporting local agriculture, and offering a unique gift option that combines the beauty of flowers with the sweetness of apples
A standout component of the initiative is the seasonal “Apple Bouquet” product line, featuring aesthetically arranged dried apple bouquets combined with local herbs and packaging inspired by Lebanon’s regional heritage. These bouquets are positioned as thoughtfully crafted gifts and specialty products, appealing to urban consumers and food service providers during autumn festivals and holiday seasons. Highlighted in the Enta.Hob campaign, the Apple Bouquet project supports the Lebanese apple market and local communities by turning surplus apples into visually appealing and marketable products. This approach enhances marketability, reduces crop wastage, and provides additional income streams for farmers, while also generating job opportunities and strengthening livelihoods. For instance, during Valentine’s Day campaigns, the initiative created 500 job opportunities for Lebanese youth involved in the production and sale of apple bouquets.
The campaign is driven largely by 500 volunteers, with Skandar Emad recognized as one of the founders and key figures behind both Gharset Kheir and Enta.Hob. this initiative transformed 7 tonnes of apples into Apple Bouquets, adding significant value to what would otherwise have been surplus produce and gone to waste.
Available at leading retailers such as Spinneys, the Apple Bouquet initiative exemplifies how tradition and innovation can intersect to create products that are visually captivating, sustainable, and socially impactful.
By creatively repurposing surplus apples, the project reduces food waste, empowers youth, supports local agriculture, and reinforces cultural pride, offering a model of sustainable, community-centered entrepreneurship that honors Lebanon’s heritage while embracing economic and social innovation