TO FURTHER establish a mutual link between farmers and the consumers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) 7 and health and wellness store The Green Table have inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The DA 7 said the agreement establishes a direct link between the farmers and the consuming public.

“Our strong resistance against the virus is because of the efforts, sacrifices and the labor of love of our farmers and fisherfolk,” DA 7 Director Salvador Diputado said during the event on Wednesday, May 26, 2021.

Provisions in the MOU provide The Green Table a direct link and partnership with the farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives and associations (FCA) in Cebu to help the small farmers and fisherfolk earn and increase their income.

The Green Table owner Neil Kho told SunStar Cebu the program will connect farmers to consumers for them to have direct access to fresh produce.

“We will help the farmers by matching them with our consumers. In this way, they can earn more and guarantee a buyer for their produce. And for our consumer, they will have access to locally grown and fresh veggies,” he said.

According to Kho, prices of local produce would be cheaper because middlemen are already eliminated.

“We are targeting to have 2,000 to 2,500 farmers for the farm to table model,” he said.

At the height of the pandemic, Kho began building a network of farmers, habal-habal drivers and his remaining staff to supply mothers, doctors, nurses, information technology- business process management workers and those who are sick and in need of healthy food with fresh and local produce.

One of The Green Table’s bestsellers include the Do-It-Yourself Smoothie kit.

Located on Gen. Maxilom Avenue, the shop aims to introduce a healthier alternative to a fast-changing consumer market shifting to a green lifestyle.

The DA has been pushing for agriculture to take the front seat in the country’s recovery against the Covid-19 pandemic that rattled varied industries and heavily affected the country’s economic performance.

It has also been encouraging the youth to participate in long-term agricultural activities. (JOB)