SM supports agri sector through farm-to-store program

April 6, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The SM Group is ramping up its support for the country’s agriculture sector through a wider farm-to-store program being undertaken by food retail affiliate and community shopping mall chain WalterMart.

The Palengke Fresh program started in February 2022 with a couple of stores in Central Luzon and has now transformed into one of WalterMart’s flagship programs in reaching out to more farmers and serving produce to its customers.

The program provides Filipino farmers with market access by enabling them to bring their farm-fresh produce to customers efficiently.

“Our partnership with local producers through the Palengke Fresh program bridges the gap between farm and table and cultivates a sustainable agricultural culture between farmers and customers with each direct sale,” WalterMart president Jennilyn Uy said.

“For us to make an impact on the livelihood of our farmers, we make it to a point that they are involved in our supply chain process,” Uy said.

Since its launch, the program has empowered several farmer cooperatives, selling over 2,000 metric tons of produce.

“The program helps our farmers sell their fresh produce. As a community mall, we look at more ways to create a positive impact and be inclusive of our communities and the customers we serve,” Uy said.

The SM Group is working closely with the agriculture sector to help elevate farming communities in the country through programs such as Palengke Fresh and SM Foundation’s “Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan” initiative.

“Making a difference in people’s lives has been an advocacy of the group borne from the simple dream of SM founder Henry Sy Sr. to uplift the livelihood of local farming communities,” SM Investments Corp. president and CEO Frederic DyBuncio said.

“By harnessing our resources, particularly our retail properties, we aim to empower local farmers, strengthen rural economies and contribute to food security and poverty alleviation in the country,” he said.

SM’s retail operations consist of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores.