THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it has entered into a partnership with a restaurant owners group and SM supermalls to provide farmers and fishermen a space to directly sell their produce to consumers under a new normal.
In a recent statement, the DA said it has inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Resto PH, a group of restaurant owners in the country, and SM supermalls for a joint project dubbed “Farmers’ Produce.”
The project seeks to allow farmers and fisherfolk to use the underutilized spaces in SM malls for free to provide them an avenue to directly sell their produce, including herbs, dairy products, condiments and seasonings, local beverages and wines.
The MOU was signed by Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar, Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness and Marketing Kristine Evangelista, Resto PH top officials, including its president Eric Teng, Vice President Bryan Tiu and Safety Protocol Officer Sean Farinas.
“This win-win solution will immensely help us reboot the economy, demonstrating the need to strengthen our food production and distribution systems during crisis and non-crisis situations,” Dar said.
Dar said the new partnership would “minimize the adverse effect of any disruption on national food security and the livelihood of stakeholders across the food value chain.”
The project is set to be launched on Friday, July 3, at SM Aura Premier’s Skypark.
Teng said the project seeks to encourage food growers to produce quality vegetables in large volumes amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The DA said Resto PH members would prepare various menus utilizing farmers’ produce during the launch of the joint project.
The activity shall be participated in by farmer groups such as Cada Farmers Agriculture Cooperative for highland vegetables, L. Sanchez Farm for lowland vegetables, Liwon Namal Farmers Tomato Association, Optimum Health Poultry and Livestock Farm Corporation, National Dairy Authority, Pasciolco Agri Ventures for coconut-based condiments, Balai Kabute Farm, and Mira’s Turmeric Products.
The DA said the current restaurant partners for the project include Vikings, Terry’s, Teriyaki Bros., Eggs & Breakfast Café, King Chef, 102 Izakaya, Mamou, Tasteless Group, Bag o Shrimps, JT’s Manukan, Mango Tree, Genki Sushi, Kureji, Cocina Peruvia and Sen Ryo.
The “Farmers’ Produce” is open to the public from Friday to Sunday, but the DA plans to open more outlets to seven days a week in other malls nationwide, it said.