Organic Gourmet

CEBU, Philippines - Eating healthy usually scares those who enjoy their fried chicken and beef burgers. Some cringe at the sight of greens and products labeled “organic.” But at Fresh Start, in Bacolod City, foodies don’t have to fear nourishing treats.

Ramon and Francine Uy founded the company in 2005. The couple started with organic fertilizers through vermiculture. Soon, Fresh Start expanded its product range from organic produce to personal care products, which are all showcased at the Fresh Start Organic and Natural store and restaurant at a mall in Bacolod City.

Fresh Start’s menu offers an assortment of dishes and desserts which are made from vegetables and meats that the owners themselves grow. True to its name, Fresh Start’s unprocessed ingredients are brought straight from the farm to the store right after harvesting. Customers enjoy crunchy fruits and vegetables daily.

One of the big favorites is its Artisan Piyaya, which comes in muscuvado and dark chocolate fillings. Its Piyayas are made the traditional way and so the production is only limited to 200 pieces a day. The sweet dessert is also vegan-friendly since no lard or animal oils are used.

Fresh Start also serves refreshing drinks with surprising flavors like their “kinilaw shake.” It offers booster shots as well, which are a mix of different fruits and vegetables to enhance energy and strength among others.

For those who crave for meat, Fresh Start’s free range chicken sandwich and banana burger are a must try! The chickens are grown the natural way, without antibiotics and the enhancing feeds, so customers are assured that no harmful chemicals will enter their body. The banana burger is a sumptuous and a fun way to introduce veggies and fruits to the kids.

Aside from strengthening consumers’ health, Fresh Start also helps in improving the lives of small farmers through fair trade. Ramond Uy, or “Chin-chin” as he would like to be called, says he doesn’t like the idea of farmers being poor despite the fact they are the ones who are feeding the nation. Fresh Start helps local farmers sell their goods, and also educates them about organic farming, in order to maintain a more sustainable environment for the future generations to enjoy.

Organic isn’t at all tasteless or meat-less. Consuming organic produce gives the body the nutrition it deserves and, at the same time, helps in the preservation of the environment as well. There’s a cliché” “You are what you eat.” Going organic will surely help. Dezsa C. Rubio   (FREEMAN)