THE Department of Agriculture (DA) 7 has tapped a shopping mall to provide a safe space for both farmers and consumers to buy and sell fruits and vegetables as part of its food accessibility program.
DA 7 Director Salvador Diputado told SunStar Cebu they started their “Kadiwa Farmers Market” initiative at Il Corso, South Road Reclamation Properties, Cebu City on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020.
“It is a public-private partnership organized by Il Corso, DA 7 and the Cebu City Government which aims to help the farmers, especially those from Cebu City mountain barangays to sell their products at
reasonable prices based on the approved price ceiling, giving them better income. It also provides consumers access to fresh and quality agricultural products,” the DA 7 said in its Facebook post.
Il Corso, in its Facebook post, said the market offers an array of organic fruits and vegetables as well as local ornaments available at the Loading Dock, North Coast Building.
The Farmers Market is available from Thursday to Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Buyers are reminded to bring their quarantine passes and eco-bags, and to wear face masks and face shields while observing physical distancing.
Diputado said the move paved the way for the much-needed connection between consumers and the farmers.
Through this initiative, he said the agency is also setting into motion the food sustainability efforts of the national government, especially in the middle of the pandemic.
Diputado said the partnership will see to it that healthy products are available to the public and at the same time help farmers augment their income.
“The most important thing right now is to be healthy and with this, we are assured that the public will have a high quality source to keep their immune system strong until a vaccine is discovered,” he said. / (JOB)