The project will cost $142,000, and it comes as part of USAID’s $20 million Municipal Capacity Building & Service Delivery Program. The land was donated by the village’s municipality. 

The project includes construction of a 350 square meter vegetable and fruit wholesale retail market, sixteen display stands, two cold storage units, one water treatment unit, and an administration office. It will benefit 150 farmers in the area.

Establishment of the market is part of a local economic development plan developed by the Bebnine Municipal Development Committee with technical support by USAID.

The project will be implemented by the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF). It will increase individual farmer revenues and generate a net profit of $19,000 per year that the municipality will use for further development of the market and the village.

“This market will be a place for farmers and consumers to meet face-to-face, allowing fresh produce to come directly from the fields to your kitchens,” said US Ambassador in Lebanon, Michele J. Sison.