Smart employees go green, organic and local

MANILA, Philippines - Organic farming is a growing practice as consumers become aware of the unhealthy effects of chemically grown or processed foods. However, organic products are not widely distributed and available at present. Lack of a solid regulation and certification process, as well as consumer support on organic food production and distribution in the country, is also a major concern. There’s also a perception that organic foods are expensive, discouraging budget-conscious Pinoys from buying them.  

Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), true to its Live More brand, has bridged this gap for its employees through the recently concluded Organic Fair Week. 

For five days, organic products — vegetables, fruits, plants, and personal care products —were made accessible to its employees by inviting certified organic producers to come and sell their products in Smart’s Head Office. Experts were also invited to give talks promoting the benefits of pursuing an organic lifestyle.

At the same time, food concessionaires in Smart’s cafeterias have also been required to serve healthier food choices for employees.  

Supporting organic farmers

This activity is just one of the telco’s many efforts to address a bigger need, which is to support the livelihood of organic farmers. 

“This campaign is not just a weeklong activity but something that is sustainable,” said Darwin Flores, Smart department head for community partnerships. “Smart intends to order organic products regularly for its employees and the company will continue supporting efforts that promote organic lifestyle.

“By making organic products accessible to our employees, we are able to promote healthy living and at the same time provide our organic farmers access to the mainstream market where they can distribute their produce and earn more,” he continued. “Buying organic products means supporting the livelihood of our organic farmers and the organic farming industry in general.”

Dr. Mylene Matti of the GreenEarth Heritage Foundation, one of the exhibitors during the Organic Week, lauds Smart for promoting the organic lifestyle. â€œI greatly encourage all of you to try our products,” she said. “When you buy from supermarkets, you make the supermarket owners richer but when you buy from us, you help our farmers and their families live a better life. We are grateful to Smart for giving us this opportunity.” 

Other exhibitors during the Organic Week are Health Springs, Nurture Spa, Ritual Shop, Philippine Business for Social Progress-Center for Rural Technology Development, Cabiokid Foundation, and The Body Shop. 

Helping the environment

Choosing an organic lifestyle means using products and eating foods that are naturally grown — no chemicals used and no artificial preservatives involved — which makes it environment-friendly as well.  Organic farming reduces production of greenhouse gases and contributes to preservation and enhancement of biodiversity because natural compost is applied to enrich the soil.  

Smart, together with the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF), is supporting organic farming in the Marikina Watershed. Last year, the communities within the watershed were trained in natural farming.  

PDRF and Smart are proponents of the Marikina Watershed Initiative, which aims to protect and rehabilitate the river basin that mitigates flooding in Metro Manila and nearby areas. 

“In promoting and supporting organic advocacy, we are addressing three main issues—living a healthier lifestyle, helping the environment, and empowering the communities,” said Flores.