My visit: March 27, 2011
Green Summer Passion presents
Weekend Organic Market
Eastwod Mall Open Park
I noticed that more and more supermarkets are selling organic food these days. What baffles me is how do we really know that the goods are really organically produced? Good thing I was introduced to an organization called Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP) last Sunday.
The OCCP is the only local certifying body in the country that ensures organic farming procedures are strictly met by a producer before they accept any product as certified organic. It is accredited by Department of Agriculture and is recognized by international organic partners as CERES (Certification of Environmental Standards) and ICEA (Ethical and Environmental Certification Institute).
organic vegetables= expensive?
Well, if you think about it, when you buy organic produce, you value your health and in return you avoid getting sick. It is like an insurance on hand. Buying and eating organic food is cheaper than having to treat an ailment or condition in the future.
Reasons to go organic:
- It tastes better
- It helps protect future generations
- It has higher levels of nutrients
- The farming methods prevent soil erosion and build healthy soils
- Organic farming helps protect water quality
- It is free of artificial additives
- Chemical residues are missing or at a very low levels
- Organic food production uses less energy than conventional food production
- Certified organic means Genetically Modified free
- Organic farming practices , maintain and enhance seed, crop and ecological diversity
- Supports small farmers
- It has low nitrate level
- It is not irradiated
one of the two tents selling organic stuff
The weekend market opens at 11 am until 8pm. I was there early. I saw the sellers setting up their goods and took this photo (above). I would suggest to go there in the morning because come noon time the area is already full of people. Since it's outdoors, I suggest that you come in comfy clothes.
mushroom burger PhP70
Stalls you don't want to miss:
- mushroom burger
- fresh buco juice and banana pandan
- organic fresh coco nectar
- coco sugar
- organic virgin coconut oil
- pink and black rice
The mushroom burger was so filling! My DS and I shared one burger and I ended up not eating lunch at all. The stall selling burger also sells veggie wrap and garden salad.
Forbidden (Black) and Pink Rice
If you want to hear the story about the forbidden rice and I am sure you do, go and ask this lady manning the stall. Does pink rice pique your curiosity? When the husk of the red rice is taken out, the pink rice is what's left of it. So, theoretically, pink rice is still better than white rice. The rice bags are sold for less than PhP150 each.
fresh salad greens
stevia is sold here!
Did you know that stevia plant is a sugar substitute? You can mix it with your coffee in the morning ; )
L'amor Coco Kakaw PhP100
I sample taste the powder and it's chocolate-y good! You can drink this instead of Milo.
Cocosugar is safe and natural alternative for diabetic and overweight people.
fruit stand
It was a lot of fun knowing what I put on my dining table are chemical free food because organic growers aim to produce food as naturally as possible.
List of participating members:
- Amazing Food Corporation
- Benevelle Corporation
- Leonie Agri Corporation
- Platinum Island Farm
- Sorsogon Food Enterprises
- Manga Miyamaratiy Ki Isa, Inc./ Perfectly Natural
- Laguna Organic Farm and Products
- Great Natural Products Corporation
- Global Organic and Welless Corporation
- Upland Marketing Foundation
- LaTop Multipurpose Cooperative
- Kahariam Realty & Farms
- Los Ricos/ Coconatura
Organic weekend market is open every Saturdays and Sundays until May 2011.
