In photo (L-R): Michelle So, SM Supermalls; Emelda Teng, Mother Spice Food Corp.; Barbie Ocampo, Carinna Sy, Stephanie Dela Pena, SM Supermalls; Eric Teng, RestoPH President; Minky Alba, Asst. Sec. Kristine Evangelista, and Romar Pedrigal, Department of Agriculture; Bernice Baculi, SM Aura Premier; and Michelle Leal and Romeo Rosal, Department of Agriculture.
SM Supermalls pens partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Resto PH, a conglomerate of restaurant owners, for a joint project called the “Farmers’ Produce” market, which aims to provide livelihood assistance to local farmers and food businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The weekend market is set to launch on July 3 at SM Aura Premier’s Skypark. The public may come and buy as the mall opens.
“The Farmers’ Produce market is our way of bringing farmers and local food establishments closer to customers. It has always been the commitment of SM to provide micro and small enterprises access to the mainstream market,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. He added that this is more relevant now since supply chains have been disrupted, leaving farmers and local food establishments with very limited options where to sell their products.
Since it started as a small enterprise 60 years ago, SM has long committed to support MSMEs to grow by helping them organize their business, provide access to market and marketing support, and act as distribution channels across the country.
To help reboot the country’s food business industry and support Filipino farmers, SM Supermalls eyes to mount selling of these local produce in other SM malls in the coming months. Some of the items that will be sold at the Farmers’ Produce market are vegetables, fruits, herbs and seedlings, dairy products, condiments and seasonings and local beverages and wines. With the aim to restart communities, the market seeks to extend accessible and affordable goods to more Filipinos while helping those who are harvesting and producing these.
Moreover, Resto PH’s partner restaurants will also be offering special menus using local produce. The event will run until July 5 from 10am to 8pm. Social distancing and strict safety protocols shall be observed. Participating restaurants include Genki Sushi, Sen Ryo, Vikings, Cocina Peruvia, Icebergs, King Chef, and more.
Hosting the launch of the Farmers’ Produce project, SM Aura Premier has always been an advocate of activities that support environmental and economic growth. Built with sustainability in mind, SM Aura Premier has also been awarded the prestigious LEED Gold certification after following the practical and measurable green building standards set by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).
For more information, visit www.smsupermalls.com.
ADVT.