Cebu’s organic farmers sell produce at Green Market fair

CEBU, Philippines - The private sector is working hand in hand with the government to initiate a green market fair aimed at helping organic farmers in Cebu City to earn added income and promote healthier lifestyle among the public alongside.

The Green Market was officially opened yesterday at the Linear Park of Cebu Business Park which is situated across Cebu City Marriott Hotel.

It shall provide an avenue for about 50 farmers to earn additional income aside from their usual earnings in the market. They occupy the 300-square meter area of the park that is provided for them without rental charge.

The Ayala Group of Companies has tied up with the Cebu City Government and the Department of Agriculture for conducting the month-long event. They also collaborated with Cebu Holdings, Inc., Ayala Center Cebu, Globe Telecom, Cebu Business Park, and Radical Ads.

Starting August 29 to September 22, around nine to 12 farmers will take turns to exhibit their organic products and fresh farm produce every week.

The participating farmers are those considered as natural growers who usually grow organic vegetables, fruits, meat, corn, nuts, honey, crops, and other food items in Cebu.

The organizers aim to draw in a market that is composed of employees from Cebu Business Park, shoppers and families from Ayala Center Cebu.

For a total of 16 days, they hope to reach the targeted sales of P3,000 to P5,000 for every exhibitor especially for the small farmers.

Event organizer Erlinda Rapes said in an interview that the private sector has acknowledged the new trend at present where people have eventually become health-conscious and preferred to stay fit at all times.

Every month, the Ayala Group of Companies comes up with social awareness program in collaboration with other industry players as part of their corporate social responsibility programs.

For this month, they will focus about health and wellness, Rapes said.

Now that diseases have also become complicated and serious, she said that the stakeholders believe that the public has to be more aware that a healthy lifestyle such as eating organic food can be crucial in preventing illnesses.

“We aim to help local farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs to promote their items that inspire healthy living. We need to spread the awareness for healthier lifestyle. We want to create awareness among people to eat healthier and live healthier,” she stated.

The Green Market is also participated by various organic and green stores that are promoting an eco-friendly and healthy lifestyle. These include those who are engaged in selling malunggay and other fruity ice cream, native delicacies using organic ingredients, live seafoods such as prawns and crabs and other pre-cooked healthy items. 

Fifteen more exhibitors from the small and medium enterprise sector and from the Kapamilya Negosyo program shall further showcase non-food items such as exercise garments, zumba attire, handicrafts like baskets and native items that are made of local indigenous materials.

Exhibitors for the health and wellness bazaar include Canvas Bristo Bar and Gallery, D’ Chef  de Cuisine, Betty’s Bakeshop, Big Food Trade and Commodities, Sugar Free Haven, Big Q Farm, Waya Uy, Tubo Cane and Mooshie.

Every Saturday, there will also be cooking demos that will start from 5:30 PM and free zumba sessions that will run from 6 to 7 PM. The cooking demonstration shall feature Chef Steve Shrimski of Canvas Bistro Bar and Chef Raki Urbina of Cafe Laguna. There will also be an alfresco area in the park where the public could hang out.

The Green Market will be open from 11 AM to7 PM every Thursdays to Fridays and from 8 AM to 7 PM every Saturdays to Sundays. /JOB (FREEMAN)