Iskash*taa

Refugee Harvesting Network

Product Catalog

Hello Friends of Iskash*taa Refugee Harvesting Network! When you are

shopping for your friends and loved ones for birthdays, anniversaries,
graduations, housewarmings, or any occasion, we ask that you consider buying
Iskash*taa food products and refugee-made crafts. Your purchase not only
assists Iskash*taa in continuing our mission to empower refugees and help
them integrate into the Tucson community, but also provides supplemental
income to refugee crafters. We have assembled this catalog to show you some
of our products. You can purchase the products featured here and many more
at festivals and events throughout Tucson, including the 4 th Avenue Street Fair,
the Peace Fair, World Refugee Day, and many more.

If you have any questions about our products, or to find out when and
where we are going to be selling them, please don’t hesitate to contact me at
tarapullano@gmail.com or (520) 722-9285. Thank you for your continued
support.

-Tara Pullano, Resource Coordinator

Catalog Index:
Food products: 2-4 Accessories/Apparel: 5-9 Home Décor: 10-13 Refugee Services: 14-15

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 Iskash*taa Fruit Frolickers Food Products

Seasonally available: mesquite flour, preserved lemons, jellies & marmalades, flavored vinegars

Iskash*taa staff, volunteers and refugees harvest more than 75,000 pounds of fruits
and vegetables a year from backyards, gardens and farms in Tucson and the surrounding
area. Most of this produce is redistributed throughout the refugee community and to
Tucson organinzations that feed the hungry. However, we do use some of the gleaned
foods to make tasty products to sell to the larger
Tucson community. We do this not only as a
fundraiser, but also to teach refugees about kitchen
safety, sanitation, and food production. We always
have a lot of fun in the kitchen and often learn new
recipes from our refugee friends. We at Iskash*taa
also believe that it is important not to waste the
local food resources that are at our fingertips. Why
not try some local goodies rather than buy food that
comes from thousands of miles away?
Balamani and Ismael show off Iskashitaa
marmalades.

All of our delicious food products are prepared and packaged in a commerical kitchen.

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 Jellies and Marmalades:
Kumquat Pineapple Marmalade,
Prickly Pear Jelly,
& more (depending on season)
.5 pint jar: $6
All of our food products fit nicely in
refugee-made drawstring gift bags;
see page 13 for details.

African Preserved Lemons in local lemon juice

This simple preserve consists of local lemons, organic

lemon juice and sea salt. Tastes second to none. A great
addition to salads, pastas, rice, chicken dishes and more!
A must-have for any foodie. Keep refrigerated.

1 quart jar, $15

Organic Mesquite Flour

100% Organic Tucson Mesquite Flour
Locally Gleaned from the Tucson Botanical Gardens
Available late fall until early spring

Mesquite flour is gluten-free; a good source of

calcium, manganese, iron, and zinc; high in protein and
fiber; and believed to be effective in controlling blood
sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Omar and Dana prepare mesquite pods for
grinding.

Use in pancakes, breads, cakes, cookies,

muffins and more! Try replacing about 1/3 of
the flour in a recipe with mesquite flour.

9.5 oz. (2 cups): $8

It may look like we have a lot, but we always sell out fast!
Buy yours now or you might have to wait until next year!
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 Flavored Vinegars
These vinegars taste great and also look
beautiful in any kitchen!

Replace all or a portion of vinegar in

any recipe with Iskash*taa desert-
inspired vinegars. Use to create
Sonoran sauces, salad dressings, and
marinades. With each use, top off the
bottle with any vinegar to cover the
fruit for a long lasting product. If
desired, sparingly mince or chop the
vinegar soaked fruit for use in a recipe,
excellent in chutneys and relishes.

PomCran Vinegar
Vinegar infused with pomegranates
(harvested in Tucson!), cranberries, and
rosemary

Cactus Vinegar
Vinegar infused with prickly pear juice
(harvested in Tucson!), cranberries, and
rosemary

Affordably priced in three sizes, our PomCran

and Cactus Vinegars make wonderful hostess
gifts or great stocking stuffers for your
favorite foodie!

5 fl. oz. (.148 L): $5

8 fl. oz. (.237 L): $7
16.9 fl. oz. (.5 L): $10

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 The Iskash*taa Refugee Sewing and Crafts Circle
The Iskash*taa Refugee Sewing and Crafts Circle (IRSCC) is an innovative
program of Iskash*taa Refugee Harvesting Network with partial funding from the Tucson
Pima Arts Council. IRSCC helps refugees learn basic sewing and craft skills, including
weaving, quilting, and crocheting. With these skills, refugees make clothes and other
useful things for themselves and their families. Participants also make products for sale to
provide some extra household income. For many participants, the classes offer their first
experience with these sewing and crafts activities. A particular focus of the IRSCC is
teaching how to re-use and recycle fabric, yarn, clothing, and plastic bags to make new
items.
Disclaimer: Every IRSCC product is an original piece. Variations in color, shape, or
quality are normal and intrinsic to their unique character. No two crafts items are the
same.

Plarn: What is it?

Plarn is plastic yarn made from used grocery and
newspaper bags. Plastic bags are flattened, folded, cut into
loops, then linked together to make a long string of plastic. The
plarn can then be used like yarn for crocheting, weaveing, and
knitting.
IRSCC crocheters mix brightly colored plarn with donated
yarn to create durable accessories with a unique texture and
appearance. Made from recycled materials, these plarn items not
only look cool but also support the environment.
Go green: Buy plarn products.

Plarn Water Bottle Holders: $8

A hands-free way to stay hydrated in the desert.
Sling it over your shoulder and you are ready for any trek.

Muna stays cool with the help of her water

bottle holder.
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 Crochet plarn, yarn, & fabric purses

Thanks to Amani and Susan for modeling!

In sizes from big to small, great for both the young and young-at-heart, we have a crochet
purse for every woman in your life.

Great for shopping or carrying your

everyday must-haves, these sturdy
yet stylish bags can take everything you
need to have at your side.

Styles, sizes, and prices vary (most are

$20-$35). Some are made from plarn,
others from donated yarn or fabric. Some
have stripes, others are variegated. Each
one makes a distinct statement.

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 Skinny Scarves: the next sensation in desert fashion!

Colorful, but not bulky, these Skinny Scarves are perfect thing to keep you warm and chic
during our mild Tucson winters. Wear one or several for a layered look.

Crochet Skinny Scarves: $10

Finger Knit Scarves: super skinny and super cool. Buy one for every outfit! Wear them
the whole year!

Finger Knit Scarves: $6

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 Crochet & Knit Hats

For men, women, children and babies.

Colors and styles vary.

Hats: $6-$10

Sewn Tote Bags & Harvesting Bags

Crochet not for you? We also have a variety of sewn tote and harvesting bags made from
recycled fabric and denim. Perfect for books, groceries, harvesting produce,
hanging out at the pool, and more!

Colors, sizes and styles vary.

Sewn tote and harvesting bags: $10-$20

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 Scrubs, baby clothing & more

The IRSCC sewers also make scrubs and many

more original pieces of clothing for adults and
children. Come check out what we have. You
never know what you will find!

William Aymard, Iskash*taa’s greatest

supporter, models one of our scrub
shirts.

Woven Purses/Netbook Holders

The refugees have taken some of the loom-woven

mats (see next page for details) and sewn up the
sides to create these wonderfully sturdy and padded
bags that are perfect for carrying netbooks or for use
as purses!

Fits netbooks with screen sizes up to 10.1”

Various colors, styles, and materials

including denim and plarn.

Woven Purses: $20

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 Rag Rugs & Mats

Refugees adapted weaving gained in Africa and Asia to local recycled materials to
create unique crafts such as these washable and durable rugs and mats. During a series of
carpentry workshops, IRSCC refugees quickly learned how to construct the looms and
began their weaving. Large rugs utilize more than 10 yards of material and take at least 7
hours to create. The refugee crafters are now making these rugs and mats out of various
materials including various recycled materials including fabric
old sheets, t-shirts, denim, fleese, plastic bags, as well as many types of fabric.
Rugs: Approximately 24x42 inches, $50-$60
Mats: Approximately 12x16 inches, $12

Above: This mat combines recycled fabric with

In colors that will complement any décor. plarn for a unique texture and appearance.

Our mats make

lovely centerpieces.
Pets love them too!

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Burundi Baskets, Bowls, Trays, & Wall Hangings:

Iskash*taa is working with several

Burundian women to market their
traditionally woven baskets to the people
of Tucson. These women have adapted
techniques learned in Rwanda and the
refugee camps of Tanzania to local
materials including palm fronds, yarn, and
recycled bean and vegetable bags donated
from the community to make a variety of
uniquely-styled baskets.

These baskets woven by refugees

Tabia, Antoinette, and Eugenie reflect the
weaving styles of Tanzania, Rwanda, and
Burundi. Baskets with straight sides and
pointed lids are typical of the style in
Rwanda and Tanzania, while the rounded
sides and lids are typical of Burundi. In
refugee camps in Rwanda and Tanzania,
women began weaving baskets to help
make ends meet, while the men worked in
agriculture. The women made baskets out
of the materials available to them, using
strands from food aid bags woven around
coils of grasses and banana leaves.

These baskets were traditionally

used to store grain, flour, small household
items, and for decoration. They also have
cultural significance to Burundians. The
baskets would be filled with food or a
meal to bring to those sick in the hospital.
They would also be given as gifts as
symbols of hope and care to celebrate a
wedding or birth.

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 Burundi Baskets, Bowls,
Trays, and Wall Hangings:

$15-$80

Above: It looks like a trivet but it’s not! Traditional

Burundi wall hangings: we call them “non-trivets.”

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 Baby Quilts & Pillows

These small quilts combine shapes and colors

to create distinctive quilts unlike any other
you have seen before. Truly original. Prices
vary by size.

Throw pillows in various sizes and colors.

Drawstring Gift Bags

Go green and support refugees with these colorful

individualized gift bags for year round gift giving.

Refugee-made drawstring gift bags:

 Recycled
 Re-susable for the recipient
 Reasonably priced

Various sizes, $1-$5.

Amani opens her drawstring gift bag

and finds a surprise.
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 Refugee Entruprenurial Services

Henna:

A Henna tattoo does not use any

chemicals at all. It is done by
using only natural and herbal
products which makes it very

safe. These are temporary
tattoos that last for 2 weeks.  Hirsi Henna by Hamza 
This enables you to change your Hire henna artists for birthday parties,
design over and over if you so
weddings, Eid, or other special occasions
desire. It’s a safe and fun way to
get a tattoo. No removal needed Sahra 891-2611, sahrahirsi@yahoo.com
after about 2 weeks. Or Hamza 808-3424

African Hair Braiding

Do you need your hair braided but don’t

know where to go? Search no further!
Fatuma Djafari is an African native and
long-time hair braider. Come visit her at
Unique Styles by Pamela & Company
located on 22nd and Park. Native African Hair Braiding
Rebecca Tiah
Liberian hair braider
Various braids for children and adults Primary Phone: 326-8825
Second Phone: 979-4669
E-mail: tiahrebecca@yahoo.com
Contact Fatuma Djarfari at
(520) 622-9900

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 Catering Services

Sahra Hirsi
Chhatra Tiwari
Somali Caterer
Nepali Caterers
(520) 891-2611
(520) 829-8686
sahrahirsi@yahoo.com
Chhatra_tiwari@yahoo.com

Thank you for reading our catalog. Please share it with your family and friends.
Remember to call us with your excess fruit or for donating materials for sewing and crafts.
Don’t forget to check out our blog: http://iskashitaa.blogspot.com.

Barbara Eiswerth, Founder and Director

Eiswerth@Iskashitaa.org (520) 440-0100

Tara Pullano, Resource Coordinator

tarapullano@gmail.com (520) 722-9285

Natalie Brown, Community Liaison

natalie.sue.brown@gmail.com (928) 503-7496

www.fruitmappers.org

No Refugee Left Behind! No Fruit Left Behind!

The Iskash*taa Refugee Sewing and Crafts Circle is partially funded by the Tucson Pima Arts Council.

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