SM stores make space for homegrown onions

The SM group has ordered about 91,000 kilos or close to 100 tons of onions directly from farmers, making good its promise to build a market for homegrown produce.

In a statement, SM Markets said the order for red and white onions was awarded to Nueva Ecija-based Bonea Multipurpose Cooperative, which was endorsed by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The supply is expected to be delivered in the second week of March and will be available in select SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, Savemore Market, and Waltermart branches in Metro Manila.

SM placed an initial order of 20 tons of Nueva Ecija onions in December 2016 as part of an agreement between the DA and supermarket chains, which was forged via the help of Go Negosyo founder and Presidential Adviser on Economic Enterprise Joey Concepcion.

“Our customers have embraced the DA’s initiative to help the local farmers of Nueva Ecija. We have ordered more than double the previous quantity of onions and we are making it available in more SM Markets stores this time,” said Pong Ejercito, SM Markets consultant for external affairs.

“So far, the partnership between DA and major retailers is going well and we are looking forward to more joint ventures in the future,” Ejercito said.

SM Markets’ retail network covers 48 SM Supermarket branches, 146 Savemore Market stores and 44 SM Hypermarkets.