For the foodies and aspiring chefs in your life, treat them to a taste of the Levant with a bottle of olive oil from TOON, a Toronto-based company that sources small-batch produce from family farms and women-led cooperatives from the south of Lebanon.
TOON was founded in 2024 by Christina Chaaya, who is originally from Ain Ebel, Lebanon, and her partner Omar Barghouti, who comes from Deir Ghassaneh, Palestine. “We wanted to create a brand that connects back to our roots and reminds us of home,” Chaaya tells The Grind. “And we wanted to share some of the best things that our land can produce, and showcase how our olive oil can be really premium and elevated compared to other European oils.”
Chaaya admits it was difficult to launch TOON amid the political turmoil of last year, especially when the war with Israel forced much of southern Lebanon to be evacuated. “We persevered,” she says.
“Our mission is to support the producers who have harvested the land for generations, and so who were we to give up on them during one of the most difficult times?”
“The olive tree symbolizes resistance and freedom,” Chaaya adds. “We knew that we needed to continue to showcase these stories and talk about the positive things that the land can produce.”
You can buy TOON’s olive oil and other holiday bundles at toonfoods.com. Items start at $8, with a bottle of early-harvest extra-virgin olive oil at $39.
This article appeared in the 2025 Dec – 2026 Jan issue.
