10th anniversary of Cebu Farmers’ Market

Congratulations to all organizers, participating farmers and partners of the Cebu Farmer’s Market (CFM) on its 10th anniversary. Mark your calendars, come and join the celebration this Saturday, October 19, at VIBO Place, N. Escario, Cebu City.

Saturday’s anniversary celebration will start at 8:30 a.m. and end by 2 p.m.

Demos, presentations, and food tasting are lined up for guests and participants. Of course, as always, there will be the organic vegetables, fruits and other products for sale.

Those of you interested to come and join are welcome to bring your pot luck contribution for lunch to be shared by participating farmers, partners and guests. Lunch is scheduled at 12:30 p.m.

Come and join us congratulate and commend CFM’s organizers and partners (Teresa Ruelas, Sol Torres, others) and most especially, CFM’s original farmers : Bernadeth and Baby Embalzado (from Carcar) and Gloria Pucot (from Naga), who sell fruits like banana, jackfruit, papaya, others, and vegetables: alugbati, okra, eggplant, and more.

There are from Busay, Roselito Sacamay Jansinal (and his home-made Sinamak vinegar) and Natnat (and her potted herbs, flowers, vegetables, guyabano, sea salt, etc.)

And, of course, the ever-smiling Rosshamea (Jham) Sacamay Jancinal, who is also a budding hair stylist!

We also hope to again meet Reto, the herbalist, Franz, our young farmer, Kathie Kiener Javellana, Vilma Lim (with her natural, delicious ice cream and other products), Ike and Jane Macasero of Living Fields (of Barili), partners from NATFAMCO, (selling pork, chicken meat, eggs, etc.), Sergio's farm (from Dalaguete), Eleanor Rivera of Living Present and Ananda Marga (selling bread and cookies), and more.

For everyone’s information, CFM has two regular markets, one at VIBO Place (every Saturday morning) and another at the Banilad Town Center (BTC, every Wednesday morning).

CFM also joins events like CEFBEX and other fairs, when invited.

CFM is in the process of becoming a cooperative and aims to have a daily store as outlet for organic farm products. CFM also continues to support the development and expansion of contract organic farming and link these with restaurants and hotels.

Dear Becky Smith who hosted the 2014 launching of CFM at their Handuraw joint along Gorordo Avenue must be smiling from up above to see CFM now on its 10th and moving on to more years of raising and sharing organic products here in Cebu. See you all this Saturday.

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You may already have known about this but allow us to share this info just the same.

The All UP Academic Employees Union- UP Cebu Chapter and the UP Cebu University Student Council organized an in-campus agro-fair themed: “Bagsakan: Baruganan uban sa Mag-uuma!” yesterday, 16 October 2024, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the kiosks near the main entrance gate of UP Cebu.

“Bagsakan” is a colloquial term commonly used in the Philippines to refer to a drop-off point where agricultural produce is gathered, typically for wholesale distribution or sale.

It serves as a central market where farmers bring their fresh goods, allowing for easier access to buyers and consumers.

It aims to support the economic needs of farmers by providing them with a direct platform to sell their produce that includes alugbati, kamonggay, okra, saging, sukang tuba, ampalaya, buwad, barbecue stick, pasayan, isda, kasag, and more.

Beyond just an agro-fair, this activity champions food sovereignty by campaigning for adequate support for farmers and advocating for their land rights.

It emphasizes the importance of empowering farmers to control their land and agricultural practices, ensuring a stable and sustainable food system.

Aside from the farmers market, the agro-fair included an educational discussion and cultural program, an art exhibit, and mural painting. The event was open to non-UP students to come.

Our heartfelt thanks and sincere salute to all our farmers, especially, our CFM organic farmers.