<div>Friends far and near,
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>the goal of this fundraiser is to help the <strong>farmers in Korçë, Albania</strong> sell more produce and continue farming - by <strong>bringing awareness, resources</strong> and <strong>economic activity</strong> in the area. Let's try to meet regulation to bring the <strong>fresh </strong>produce to the US.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>SHARE the fundraiser with your local <strong>State Representative</strong>
</div>
<div>TELL Your Employer - if you're in the food business
</div>
<div>#investinKorce #Countmein #reachglobalmarkets
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>---------------------------------------------
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>As many of you, I<strong> </strong>would<strong> </strong>love<strong> </strong>to<strong> </strong>see fresh<strong> </strong>volume from Albania at Costco. It<strong> </strong>is<strong> </strong>possible. However, we need to centralize resources, meet US Standards and get the right people involved. And we've come a long way!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We need a few things prior to importing:
</div>
<ul>
<li>test the soil, water and air
</li>
<li>remove any heavy metals
</li>
<li>centralize and teach the farmers
</li>
<li>approved seeds
</li>
<li>we need fertilizers to comply with US Standards
</li>
<li>consistent monitoring
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>While some farmers are knowledgeable and dedicated others are not. We have to train the farmers. We will organize the harvest, the delivery schedule and ensure compliance with packaging.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We will also try to bring one truck of <em>frozen potatoes and onions</em> this summer.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We have a qualified team ready to help! In Albania (10 folks to lead operations!) and in the US (for getting to market, administrative and compliance purposes)
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I do need everyone to do their part! To allow us to do this, politicians also need to see that we want this to happen, collectively as Albanian Americans.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>The quarry in Burimas has heavy metals and the fumes circulate through other villages. It’s impacted people’s health along with the farming. It’s also impacted Lake Prespa, a UNESCO protected site impacting biodiversity and cross border country lines - Greece Macedonia and Albania.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We have a few historians ready to help us bring some of the history back, local political support and we also have contractors ready fix the infrastructure.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I’m looking forward to working with all of you! Let me know if you'd like to be part of the journey!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>with gratitude,
</div>
<div>Armiona Postol
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/92683209_1780073578730411_r.png" width="100%" />
<div>—————-
</div>
<div>Work that has been done!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We've created a website (<a href="https://www.bei.farm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.bei.farm</a>)
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We sent a few testing kits to Albania and the<strong> quarry </strong>between Burimas and Zvezdë is less than 200 meters from the nearest home with <strong>heavy metals</strong>. These are large villages. The particles in the air, water streams and in the soil extend across the Korçë plain. It's been operating for over 20 years.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>The ONLY test result that turned positive was Bacteria
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>heavy metals
</div>
<ul>
<li>impact people’s <strong>lives &amp; health </strong>
</li>
<li>contaminate the <strong>food</strong> <strong>supply</strong>
</li>
<li>contaminate the drinking and bathing <strong>water</strong>
</li>
<li><strong>air</strong> they breathe
</li>
<li>it’s impacted their main source of income
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>it effects children, elderly and people with pre-known diseases the most
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>The same with unmonitored pesticides!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Many countries sell produce and meats in the US, some of which include Kenya and Peru. Peru has a trade agreement with the US. US needs volume from other countries to ensure supply on the shelves. This effort is a win for both countries.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We reached out to key individuals in procurement, finance - grants/loans, distribution and supply chain, policy makers, clean water infrastructure, and general donations - raspatory equipment, drinking water, and basic over the counter needs like toothpaste:
</div>
<ul>
<li>Senator Fazio's office
</li>
<li>Representative Constantine
</li>
<li>Joe Hoxha
</li>
<li>Adam Kaplan
</li>
<li>Dole
</li>
<li>General Mills
</li>
<li>Balnfin/Spar
</li>
<li>Dua Lipa
</li>
<li>Edi Rama
</li>
<li>Pepsico
</li>
<li>Lamb Weston
</li>
<li>McDonald's
</li>
<li>Trade Joe's
</li>
<li>Carrefour
</li>
<li>Lidl
</li>
<li>Nestle
</li>
<li>IRCA Group
</li>
<li>Richard Lukaj
</li>
<li>Erlin Sulo
</li>
<li>Xylem
</li>
<li>Wakefern Food Corp
</li>
<li>APHIS
</li>
<li>USDA - AMS/COOL/FAS/APIE
</li>
<li>Port in Greece
</li>
<li>Department of Agriculture in Albania
</li>
<li>Slow Food
</li>
<li>Honeywell
</li>
<li>Non profits to see how'd they'd get involved
</li>
<li>Dentists, doctors, and others to offer their services
</li>
<li>Albanian Restaurant Owners, Social Clubs, other other businesses across Boston, New York, Florida, Tennessee, New Jersey to Michigan, and Chicago
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We received feedback to:
</div>
<ul>
<li>create a committee at the Federal level to ease trade
</li>
<li>Reaching out to our Senators and House of Representatives in Washington DC
</li>
<li>We’ve notified personal in many other States and we’ve also reached out to individuals from the White House.
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>The only fresh varieties that are allowed in the US from Albania today are<strong> strawberries and blackberries.</strong> Please visit the APHIS Database for more updates.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/92683209_1780073359266501_r.jpg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div><em>Bei logo</em>, digitally designed by <strong>Print Station, Korçë.</strong>
</div>
<div>Bei trademark and marketing was reviewed by <strong>Malellari Law </strong>(<a href="https://malellarilaw.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://malellarilaw.com/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://malellarilaw.com/</a></a>)
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We’ve received: $250 from Muddy Waters, New London CT
</div>
<div>$50 from Carmine Paolino
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/92683209_1773352836183259_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Postcards distributed across International Women’s Day Motrat Qirazi event by <strong>Neviana Zhgaba</strong> owner of <strong>AquilasNest</strong> in Newtown. Same were done by <strong>Gezim Bylyku </strong>and <strong>Alesandra Aliu</strong> hosts of the Mother's Day parties, across Hartford area and within Waterbury, CT. Postcards were also placed at the Mosque for people to take.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Jurgen Dulo (Burimas), Adi Mullalli (Zemblak) and Fatos Kadillari </strong>have devoted a lot of time to help with this effort
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>If you have a moment, please visit the website and let me know what products you would be most excited to see in the U.S. so we can prioritize.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Together, we’ve reached several meaningful milestones:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>Promoted the initiative locally in Korçë and across Albania so farmers can access new markets
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/92683209_1772815491247598_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div>Local children wearing and supporting this initiative. If you would like memorabilia to support the cause, send me a note.
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/92683209_1772887334161408_r.png" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We’ve received beautiful photos from <strong>Sualdo</strong> <strong>Dino</strong> <strong>Photography, </strong>designed the postcards and sent them to local restaurants and hotels to see how they would feel about the effort.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>Created a brand and vision for how Korçë can be represented globally
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/92683209_1772817198499964_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>Worked with media to share the history and stories of the villages
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>Connected with businesses and government representatives for guidance and support
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<ul>
<li>Hosted a toy drive at the <strong>Albanian Islamic Community Center </strong>in Waterbury ,CT<strong>.</strong> Thanks to our partners, we collected over 100 toys. We’ve wrapped them and sent them to Albania!
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/92683209_1772815603482434_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/92683209_1772816109621117_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/92683209_1772815722222087_r.jpeg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Word</strong> <strong>Wide</strong> <strong>Shipping</strong> and <strong>Alushi</strong> <strong>Shpk</strong> Durres brought these to the children within Albania. And <strong>Burim</strong> <strong>Fida</strong> sent them through Cargo for free!
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/92683209_1780074166569638_r.jpg" width="100%" />
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Over time, these efforts can also help strengthen the villages — bringing more economic activity, improving infrastructure, and making visits home even more meaningful for those who own land or have family there.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We have also visited many facilities and had conversations with major European Importers.
</div>
<ul>
<li><strong>EuroGrocery</strong> in Middletown CT
</li>
<li><strong>E.Armata</strong> in Hunts Point
</li>
<li><strong>Alb Flavor</strong> Hunts Point. We’ve had many conversations with other such as importers Katzman.
</li>
<li>We’ve notified the workers in the major warehouses in CT (<strong>Bozzutos</strong> and <strong>Napoli</strong>). We’ve also reached out to smaller importers, restaurants and social clubs within CT.
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>If this speaks to you, please share it with friends and family in Albania, the U.S., and beyond. When you see the bei logo on social media, a simple like or tag helps more than you know.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We’ll continue sharing updates through the newsletter and website about our progress and the impact your support is making.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>If you’d like to get involved, we would truly love to hear from you — feel free to reach out through the website (<a href="https://www.bei.farm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.bei.farm</a>).
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Let's do this!
</div>

Anja Rusi

Nevila Fazo

Anonymous

Zarife Xhaci

Sergei Ivani

Bledian Fazo

Lauren Cwikla

Irena Xhurxhi

Rebecca Fay

Kelly Marin Brown

Jessica Perona

Carol White

David J Gelormino

Help the farming community in Korce!

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Help the farming community in Korce!

Still $1,285 to go. Help us build momentum.