Career Center

During the challenging economic crisis, the country is passing through, businesses are trying to expand and add new production lines as an initiative to substitute some of the imported products. The host organization requesting this assignment is family-owned business established in 1999 in Menjez, Akkar, North Lebanon. The company owns and operates one of the largest organic farms in Lebanon by size, approximately 200,000 square meters; and grows and provides 100% organic produce. The host organization currently grows different crops that include aromatic herbs and 2000 carob trees and produces certified organic Carob Molasses.

The company aims to process the carob seeds into a product that could help them in entering new markets and decrease the amount of environmental waste. Based on the research done, the organization identified the Locust Bean Gum (E410) as a possible solution for processing the carob seeds. Moreover, the company aims to increase their products’ range and add new products such as carob syrup, carob butter, and carob sugar; hence, benefiting additional local carob farmers. However, the company lacks the needed expertise and knowledge in identifying new carob-based products based on market demand, developing new products recipes, and identifying the required processing line.

Thus, the organization is requesting a product development volunteer expert to assist the company in identifying new carob-based products, developing new recipes, and advising on the equipment required for processing carob-based new products such as carob sugar, carob butter, carob molasses and mainly the Locust bean gum (E410).

During the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenging economic situation, many industries are taking the advantage to improve their systems and add new products as a substitute for import. The host organization’s goal is to export their products and enter new local markets; however, the company produces only one product, carob molasses, and needs to increase their products range to be able to compete and enter new markets.

The host organization requesting this assignment is a carob molasses manufacturer that aims to increase their product range through introducing new products made of carob in addition to their existing carob molasses production. During the past season, and with the support of the Land O’Lakes Venture37 LINQ program, the organization was able to process around 150 tons of carobs which produced 15 tons of carob seeds (10 % of production).

Currently the company identified potential products that they aim to add to their products list such as carob sugar, carob butter, carob molasses and mainly the Locust bean gum (E410).

Thus, a volunteer expert is requested to assist the host organizations in the following:

• Identify potential new carob-based products, while emphasizing on the ability to work on the following products: carob sugar, carob butter, carob molasses and mainly the Locust bean gum (E410).
• Suggest additional carob-based products based on market demand.
• Identify the list of equipment needed for small scale production
• Identify possible equipment vendors.

The recruited volunteer is expected to have the following skills and qualifications:

• Educational Background: Educational degree in Food Science and Product Development
• Minimum 5 years of experience in carob molasses products processing such as carob sugar, carob syrups
• Minimum 5 years of experience in the manufacturing of locust bean gum (E410)
• Experience in designing and purchasing carob molasses processing lines
• Flexible for remote volunteering, if needed.
• Available ASAP