Doha, Qatar: About 10 years ago, as vegan diets grew in popularity, a Qatari entrepreneur became passionate about making a positive impact on society by promoting a plant-based lifestyle.
In an interview with The PeninsulaGhanim Al Sulaiti, a passionate advocate of plant-based lifestyles, shares his insights, aspirations and journey to championing organic and vegan cuisine in Qatar.
“We believe that Qatar has a special reason for the vegan concept to thrive here,” reflects Ghanim, and his passion is clear. “It's a small country, a small city, but at the same time people here are always looking for options and there's a strong focus on health and wellness.”
Ganim's journey into the organic and vegan food industry began 10 years ago when he began a personal journey towards a healthier lifestyle. “He wanted to build the platform and business that he had and share it with as many people as possible,” he says. Thus, Evergreen Organics, his first vegan restaurant in Qatar, was born in 2016 as a pioneering space dedicated to providing accessible, affordable and delicious vegan food.
At the heart of Ganim's approach is a fusion of vegan principles and local culture and flavours. “We need to incorporate a lot of local herbs, products and ingredients,” he explains. From vegan traditional Qatari cuisine enriched with local essentials like dates, turmeric and local spices, Evergreen Organics celebrates Qatar's rich culinary heritage while creating a sustainable and caring lifestyle. We are promoting.
Additionally, Ganim is committed to sourcing organic ingredients locally and building partnerships with farmers to ensure the highest quality produce. “We always strive to bring our farms closer to the standards we want: organic produce,” he asserts. Our commitment to sustainability and local agriculture not only enriches the dining experience, but also contributes to the growth of Qatar's organic farming sector.
“We are now growing so many vegetables that we used to import, which is a great step that we are very proud of,” he said.
Recently, Ghanim spearheaded Qatar's first vegan festival. The festival is a landmark event that showcases the vibrancy and diversity of the country's burgeoning vegan community. In collaboration with Torba Farmers His Market, the festival brought together over 30 vendors offering a variety of vegan products and menus. This was a huge success, confirming the growing desire for plant-based options and dispelling misconceptions about veganism.
Reflecting on the evolution of Qatar's organic and vegan market, Ghanim is optimistic about the future. “We've seen it go from complete ignorance to now having aisles and aisles available in supermarkets,” he observes. Rising awareness, coupled with changes to lifestyles that emphasize longevity, signal a paradigm shift in consumer preferences, and Ganim is determined to foster and foster this change.
His efforts were also highlighted at the ongoing Doha Expo 2023 and the recently concluded Qatar International Food Festival 2024.
But Ganim's vision goes beyond culinary innovation. This includes education, awareness, and community building. “Our mission since the beginning has been to inspire people to live a better lifestyle,” he emphasizes. Through educational programs and community outreach, he strives to increase understanding of the benefits of plant-based diets and empower individuals to make conscious choices for their health and the planet.
As Qatar embraces the ethos of wellness and sustainability, Ghanim is a visionary entrepreneur with a passion for plant-based living who is changing the culinary world one dish at a time. With unwavering dedication and pioneering spirit, he is sowing the seeds of change and inspiring a healthier, more compassionate future for generations to come.
