Exploring the roots of freshness and flavor  

When we set out to shop for our weekly supply of vibrant fruits and crisp vegetables, we always seek a balance of freshness and good value for money. But have you ever paused to wonder about the incredible journey our produce goes through before gracing the shelves of our local groceries or farmers' markets? It’s something we often overlook but a compelling consideration on its own. 

It's a tale of unsung heroes—our country’s small-scale farmers—who devote their life to tirelessly nurturing crops, battling harsh elements, and finding any means possible to get their harvests to us, the end consumer. Even in an agriculturally rich nation like the Philippines, our farmers face formidable obstacles with little institutional support. This is especially true for small-scale farmers in remote regions of the country like the Chico River Organic Practitioners Organization (CROPO) in Bauko, Mt. Province. They endure arduous journeys along rugged paths, through dense forests, and across treacherous terrains, carrying over 20 kg. of produce on their backs. 

Knowing this prevailing reality, Sub-Zero and Wolf, premium refrigeration and cooking appliance brands, collaborated with Good Food Community (GFC), a social enterprise that connects consumers with farmers by providing a direct and sustainable market for seasonal and organically grown produce.

CROPO is a group that has worked with GFC for years, and through the partnership, Sub-Zero and Wolf sought to support the hardworking farmers by helping build and rehabilitate over 20 crop rain shelters to protect their farmland from pests and inclement weather. With these in place, more than 700 sqm of farmland will be protected to help the farmers yield over 30,000 kg. of produce, with the goal of consistent livelihood for the CROPO farmers in the next five years.

Providing these crop rain shelters lays the foundation for climate-resilient infrastructure that supports sustainable agriculture. And this matters because good food is fresh food, and fresh food is better with quality ecology and soil care. Supporting our farmers from the very beginning is crucial to achieving this. 

As the food preservation expert, Sub-Zero refrigeration understands that a way to honor fresh food and the arduous journey it goes through is by keeping vibrant flavors and nutritional goodness intact for longer periods. While Wolf appliances, the cooking expert, strive to unlock the rich flavors of the ingredients you’re cooking, ensuring that each dish you set on the table is a mouthwatering masterpiece to savor. These exceptional brands wholeheartedly embrace and support the incredible journey of food—from seed to plate.

Together with Good Food Community, Sub-Zero and Wolf strive to support, recognize, and patronize the vital contributions of our nation’s hardworking farmer communities. 

Commit to fresh, organic produce and browse through a selection of flavorful offerings at https://www.goodfoodcommunity.com/. 

Watch Sub-Zero and Wolf's Seed to Plate journey and partnership with Good Food Community. For more on their commitment to freshness and flavor, visit https://bit.ly/seedtoplatephilstar or follow them on Instagram. 

* * *

Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Sub-Zero and Wolf Philippines.