This helps farmers get a fair price for their produce, and helps YOU get the freshest food delivered direct to your door, the day it's picked - and cheaper than you could buy it at the market.
Click here for information on our fresh produce delivery service, the Farm-to-You service.
Click here for information on how we're helping farmers by providing access to modern food storage technology.
Click here for information on our volunteer program for Filipino and international visitors interested in agricultural development.
Or see below for more stories about Cab and his friends!
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI really like your social venture. Your stories and articles are very informative and it’s always great to learn about other cultures. Thanks and WELL DONE for taking the time and making the effort to help the farmer.
Here are some ideas that came to me whilst I was reading your blog:
I wonder whether you can introduce a ‘kiva-esque’ type business model to Bukid Buddies, www.kiva.org, whereby you can pledge as little as $5 to assist others in the farming community. Maybe a farmer needs a new piece of machinery, tools, packaging? Do you think those living in city of Manila would be interested in helping their farming friends by giving a small donation?
I really like your concept to adopt a cabbage. I love mangos, so I would adopt tonnes of them. Do you sell mangos?
Because I am curious about how other people live and how other people make a living in this wide world, I think that if you introduced the producer/farmer, then I could see the farmer(s) I was supporting. One of my favourite grocery websites does this so well, I think. Have a look and see whether you think it would be helpful for Bukid Buddies: http://www.goodeggs.com/sfbay
The idea of supporting a grocery giant does not fill me with much satisfaction and I am happy to see that you are challenging them. I think that if you introduced the family and people who grew the vegies, then I would be very attracted to buying them.
Also, have you considered selling other foodstuffs or items the farmer may produce – eggs, baked goods, honey, crafts.
I hope some of these suggestions are helpful. Wishing you the very best. Thanks, Julie M.
I like your Kiva idea Julie - this could be another way to bring in some revenue, which is one of our key challenges with this idea. As it is for all social enterprises, but for this one there's a particular challenge because our primary objective is to provide services to farmers, but they don't have much money so we need to look elsewhere for most of our revenue. Kiva doesn't take a cut of the loans made on its platform, but rather it asks for an additional donation when lenders make a loan - we could do something similar. It would also be a good way to create a more personal connection between the tribes we're targeting through the blog (city consumers, volunteers) and the farmers themselves - same as for your idea of telling the farmers' personal stories (we do have one interview with a farmer on the blog, but I think we could do much more of this).
DeleteAnd yes, we do sell mangos!
Dear Julie, I really love your ideas and since I am really looking forward of doing something like this in the Philippines, I am keen about adopting the idea of "Kia-esque" model and make a portion to "get to know your farmers" too.. :) I am now thinking that portion introduces a farmer and his dreams for the future so people identifies with his dreams too.. i love that! :)
DeleteAbout challenging the supply chain (groceries).. yes, it is one scenario. But I am also looking at partnering with them if possible. I know one supermarket who does online grocery shopping for clients and I can partner up with them since they already have a based of customers. It is important that I will be able to communicate the social benefit of supporting our product. :)
Thanks for your ideas, they just amazing and "do-able"! :)
What consumer choices can one make in Australia to promote better farming?
ReplyDeleteHi Miki, good question. I think in terms of how Australians could help farmers in the Philippines through our business, it would be through the volunteer program - going to help out on a farm in the Philippines and getting a chance to see the country as well.
DeleteIn terms of using our buying power as consumers to promote better farming in Australia, I think it would be things like local sourcing (minimising 'food miles'), avoiding products like cage eggs and so on. Choosing organic produce may also help, although it's an interesting question exactly what the benefits of organic food are - I read something the other day that said there wasn't any evidence that organic food is healthier, but there is evidence it's better for the environment.