Food

Over 18 participants from different FEP farmer groups and local implementing partners gathered to learn about agri-extension approaches and methods at the pioneering Agri-Tech Facilitator Training Program of the Jollibee Group Foundation.
 

The inaugural round of training for the Agri-Tech Facilitator (ATF) Program was successfully held in Pasig City from October 14–16 by the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the social development division of the Jollibee Group. As part of JGF’s effort to develop smallholder farmers into agri-tech facilitators who will find, test, and promote innovations that will increase the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of their agro-enterprises, this training covered the first of three program modules.

JGF offers farmer groups and local implementing partners of its Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) ongoing capacity-building training, which includes the ATF Program. Ayat ti Pasuquin Farmers and Irrigators Association, Kalasag Multipurpose Cooperative, Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Lourdes Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Marcos Village Palayan City Farmers Agri-Farm Corporation, Onion and Vegetables Producers Cooperative, Pagbiagan Multipurpose Cooperative, Sacred Heart Savings Cooperative, Tucop Farmers Association, Ungab Farmers Association, and Ahon sa Hirap, Inc. (ASHI) were among the first group of ATF participants.

“The Agri-Tech Facilitator Program enables JGF to further support the growth of our farmers. By fostering collaboration and encouraging openness to innovative changes, we hope our farmers could thrive better as agro-entrepreneurs and continue to achieve sustainability and success in the long-term,” JGF President Gisela Tiongson said.

The ATF participants engaged in activities and workshops to build on their outputs and allow them to have a meaningful learning experience.
 

For Jude Tria, Board of Director of the Lourdes Multi-Purpose Cooperative, one of FEP’s local implementing partners, who is also an ATF Farmer Adviser, the entire module would also be beneficial in building their confidence and establishing their quality as FEP farmers.

“Naniniwala ako na ang programa ng ATF ay magkakaroon ng magandang epekto sa mga magsasaka dahil ang agritech ay hindi lamang pamilyar sa mga magsasaka kundi nakatutok din sa bawat isa sa kanila. Dahil napaka-accessible rin nila, hindi na magdadalawang isip ang mga magsasaka tungkol sa pagkonsulta sa kanila, at sa akin, ito ay magreresulta sa na ang programa ay maging isang milestone, isa pang trademark ng FEP, (I believe that the ATF program would have a good impact on the farmers because the agritech is not only familiar with the farmers but is also focused on each one of them. Since they are also very accessible, the farmers won’t have second thoughts about consulting them, and to me, this would eventually result in the program becoming a milestone, another trademark of FEP)” he said.

JGF, through FEP, provides smallholder farmers with training and resources to help sharpen their leadership and technical skills, enabling them to supply quality vegetables to institutional markets such as Jollibee Group. To date, 19 FEP farmer groups regularly deliver their crops to the Company.

Farming Innovations

Following the completion of the first module, the participants will proceed to the next two modules which will be conducted in 2025. Part of the two other modules is the practicum participation of the attendees.

The next training session will be in January 2025 and will be facilitated by the Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan.

For Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative Association Cluster Leader Jefrey Velasquez, the ATF program helps enhance their competency as farmers. As a leader, he also learned how to communicate effectively, which, according to him, is essential in building relationships with his fellow farmers.

“Mahalaga po itong training na ito dahil dito po nagmumula ang mga bagong kaalaman sa teknolohiya, at iba pa pong kasanayan, na siya ko rin pong ituturo sa aking mga kapwa magsasaka.” (This training is important because it gives us new knowledge on technology, as well as other practices, which I will also be able to teach and share with my fellow farmers) he said.

Meanwhile, Larena Nicolas, President of the Marcos Village Palayan City Farmers Agri-Farm Corporation, appreciates how the training encourages leaders like her to help their fellow farmers succeed.

“Kailangan ko pong maituro sa aming members ang kahalagahan ng ganitong trainings upang ma-adopt din po nila ‘yong practices at patuloy na makapag supply sa mga institutional market. Importante po talaga na magpaliwanag sa mga farmer at pakinggan ang needs nila,” (I need to teach our members the importance of such trainings so they can also adopt the practices and be able to continuously supply to institutional markets. It is important that we get to discuss with them and listen to their needs) she added.

JGF is eager to see how the new Agri-Tech Facilitators will apply these agri-extension strategies and techniques in their local farming communities, thereby improving the standard of living for the nation’s smallholder farmers.

Photo shows from left: Iskaparate President & COO Josefina Rojo-Natividad, All About Baking Director Kyne Gorospe, Chef Instructor Catherine Blas-Yu, DTC Promos Inc. President & COO Marissa Dames, and Unox Corporate Chef Karhen Igarashi in a fun photo opportunity to celebrate workshop success and a trusted partnership.

Chef Cathy Yu of Save Bakery and Café Philippines will be hosting a Christmas Mooncake Workshop at All About Baking SM North EDSA, The Block, as part of Iskaparate.com’s digital media launch in honor of World Entrepreneurs’ Day on November 19, 2024.

The digital debut, which followed its recent October 15, 2024, opening at Overdoughs Café in Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati, sought to illustrate the platform’s capabilities beyond simply a multi-vendor e-commerce platform.

Iskaparate.com highlighted through a practical workshop conducted by a baking industry specialist that it also offers training to help individuals refine their abilities and knowledge and explore other fields of competence that promote both technical business improvement and personal development.

As we tackled the ventures of Iskaparate, we learned a lot from them and enjoyed each thing that they had shared with us. One of the activities that we did during the media lunch was teaching us how to bake. I really had a wonderful time and enjoyed it very much since I don’t know how to cook. This activity became a tough challenge for me, and I managed it successfully. Aside from that, we had acquired different skills, knowledge, and ideas from them.

Two members of the core team of Iskaparate.com, DTC Promos Inc. and Iskaparate President & COO Josefina Natividad, attended the session. Marissa Dames, the president and COO, as well as a number of media representatives, internet influencers, and content producers from many industries.

In addition to learning about Iskaparate.com’s mission and story, the guests had the opportunity to observe how mooncakes are made in advance of the holidays, which gave them a sense of what it’s like to be a part of the community.

One of the highlights of the event was a brief speech by Chef Alphie Azarias, Marketing Development Specialist at Unox Asia. Chef Klyne Gorospe of All About Baking then gave a warm welcome to the guests and expressed excitement about soon joining Iskaparate.com as a vendor, expanding the platform’s offerings to include high-end professional kitchen equipment and in-demand baking supplies.

In 2020, Iskaparate.com was established to assist business-minded women in maintaining their operations amidst the COVID-19 epidemic. On the new platform, there are now 3,000 thoroughly screened sellers of all kinds, compared to 33 nanays in the past.

Since then, the original objective has expanded to include empowering local community vendors and micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) through business-to-business (B2B) partnerships and assisting them in navigating the digital economy through a variety of marketing methods and business growth prospects. With the opening of Ozam, its Canadian portal, and plans for gateways in the US and Singapore, the platform will soon expand globally.

With its B2B expansion, Iskaparate.com offers merchants easy access to wholesale products, competitive pricing, and strategic alliances with major companies in the market like Suy Sing and Hypha. For distributors, owners of sari-sari stores, restaurants, caterers, and other small companies in the Philippines, this negosyo platform promises simplified procedures, financial support, and an intuitive user experience.

The B2B platform offered by Iskaparate.com is revolutionary for companies of all sizes, from little sari-sari shops to major wholesalers. Iskaparate.com is poised to provide business owners with impermeable solutions with its negosyo tools for businesses and collaborations with industry titans like Suy Sing and Hypha.

Iskaparate.com core team, industry partners, media representatives. and content creators in a commemorative photograph after the workshop.

I got my certificate of participation for the Christmas Mooncake Workshop at All About Baking SM North EDSA, The Block

Iskaparate.com is the perfect partner for companies looking to improve operations and profitability because of its BNPL financial alternatives, nationwide delivery convenience, and easy registration process.

What makes it different from other business-to-business platforms?

1. Competitive Wholesale Pricing

One of the strongest features of Iskaparate.com as an online negosyo platform is its access to competitive wholesale prices. Through its collaboration with partners such as Suy Sing and Hypha, businesses can enjoy prices significantly lower than traditional retail stores. For businesses managing their margins, this makes a significant difference when it comes to driving profitability, especially when selling in large quantities.

As observed in the comparison from a recent pricing study, Iskaparate.com consistently offers better deals compared to other competitors, including well-known grocery wholesale stores. Price differences range from a few cents to a couple of pesos.

See Table 1 for price comparison.

Table 1

• Financial Assistance: Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

Iskaparate.com goes beyond just offering competitive pricing; this online marketplace also recognizes the financial struggles that many small businesses face. That’s where their financial assistance option comes into play, provided through a partner organization. With Iskaparate.com‘s BNPL feature, registered businesses, such as sari-sari store suppliers, can choose a more flexible payment method at checkout that makes it easier to stock up on essential inventory without immediate financial pressure. Approval for this payment option is required but opens up a more accessible route for businesses to maintain cash flow while meeting customer demand.

• Quick Registration Process and Free Membership

Iskaparate.com understands that time is money, especially for small business owners. negosyo platform for sari-sari store owners offers free registration to welcome new joiners without incurring upfront costs. Once registered, approval typically occurs in as fast as 48 hours. This simple sign-up process ensures that even start-up sari-sari stores can access wholesale products and competitive pricing right away.

For further convenience, businesses can sign up with their name and customer addresses, especially if they plan to distribute to multiple locations.

Suy Sing orders above ₱5,000 are also automatically eligible for free shipping, making Iskaparate.com an attractive option for businesses operating in both serviceable and non-serviceable areas.

Register your sari-sari store on Iskaparate!

Become a B2B negosyo partner to access exclusive pricing and wholesale products that fit the needs of your business. Partnering with Iskaparate.com means gaining access to a wide range of products, special deals, and support to help your business grow. Once you’re set up as a partner, don’t forget to register to shop on Iskaparate to unlock even more benefits and resources.

• Iskaparate.com B2B Partners: Suy Sing and Hypha

Suy Sing, one of the country’s largest wholesale distributors, is known for decades of expertise and a vast inventory of consumer goods. Hypha, on the other hand, provides health, beauty, and wellness solutions.

Through these partnerships that bring wholesale solutions for sari-sari stores, businesses can access a wide range of high-quality products—from pantry essentials to wellness needs—all under one roof. This level of convenience is crucial for small businesses that often lack the resources to manage multiple suppliers efficiently.

• Logistics and Nationwide Reach

Iskaparate.com ensures smooth delivery of orders from Suy Sing for sari-sari store wholesale deals across the country through the latter’s strategically located warehouses. With facilities in Metro Manila (Taguig, Parañaque, and Binondo) and provincial locations (Bacolod, Cagayan De Oro, Cauayan Isabela, Davao, Iloilo, Labangan Zamboanga Del Sur, Lipa Batangas), Suy Sing can efficiently serve businesses in urban and rural areas. For companies based outside serviceable zones, Iskaparate.com’s process allows distributors to register customer addresses in these zones under the same name, guaranteeing that goods still reach their intended destinations without extra delivery fees.

• Flexible Margin Options

Iskaparate.com allows negosyo e-commerce users to set their own margins as long as they remain competitive. This allows distributors and sellers to tailor their pricing strategies according to their target market to ensure profitability while maintaining attractive offers for their customers.

Iskaparate.com‘s B2B platform is a game-changer for businesses, regardless of whether they are small sari-sari stores or large-scale distributors. With its negosyo tools for entrepreneurs and partnerships with industry leaders like Suy Sing and Hypha, Iskaparate.com is set to offer airtight solutions for business owners.

The added convenience of nationwide delivery, BNPL financial options, and a systematic registration process make Iskaparate.com an ideal partner for businesses trying to enhance their operations and profits.

To learn more, go to www.iskaparate.com.

The Farmer Entrepreneurship Program, a joint initiative by the Jollibee Group and the Jollibee Group Foundation, Inc. (JGF), won the ‘Entrepreneurship Development Programme Award’ and the ‘Social Welfare Award’ at the recently held ESGBusiness Awards 2024.

Jollibee Group and the Jollibee Group Foundation, Inc. (JGF), collaborated to create the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (“FEP” or the “Program”), which was recognized with two honors at the ESGBusiness honors 2024 for its significant improvements to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the Philippines.

In recognition of its dedication to assisting budding business owners and fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem, FEP was granted the “Entrepreneurship Development Programme Award.” Additionally, it won the “Social Welfare Award” for safeguarding the fundamental necessities and well-being of marginalized groups, shielding them from dangers and adversity, and fostering social and economic stability. The Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) has been acknowledged by ESGBusiness for the first time, highlighting its commitment to sustainability and creating just futures.

“We extend our gratitude to the ESGBusiness for recognizing our initiatives to empowering smallholder farmers in our country,” said Pepot Miñana Jr., Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer at Jollibee Group. “We believe that the farming sector plays a huge role in achieving food security. Yet, they continue to face significant challenges due to various limitations such as lack of access to resources and sure markets. With FEP, our goal is to help them overcome those barriers by equipping them with skills and knowledge to become effective agro-entrepreneurs.”

The ESGBusiness Awards is an esteemed regional awards program that celebrates companies that lead sustainable development, showcasing those actively making a positive impact through social responsibility.

Empowering smallholder farmers

FEP is an agro-entrepreneurial and leadership program that aims to educate smallholder farmers on innovative farming technologies and entrepreneurship so they can adopt sustainable farming methods, increase their productivity, and gain higher incomes.

With FEP’s support, Filipino smallholder farmers have achieved income stability, repaid loans, accessed better financial services, built their own homes, and funded their children’s tertiary education, and inspired more youth and women to pursue farming.  

Achieving supply resiliency

Jollibee Group acknowledges the farmers’ key role in having a resilient supply chain. As the most fundamental partners of the Jollibee Group in achieving its mission of providing a joyful dining experience to its customers, the local smallholder farmers clustered from 16 localities in the country directly provide white onions, green bell peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables to Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Chowking, and Greenwich branches that ensure exceptional quality and flavor.

This year, Jollibee Group and JGF aim to increase the volume of vegetables supplied to enhance support and opportunities for FEP farmers. In 2023, FEP farmers delivered 1,367,000 kilos of vegetables to the Jollibee Group, meeting 24% of the Group’s onion requirements.

JGF President Gisela Tiongson noted the Program’s significance: “The FEP farmers have been our longtime partners in ensuring that we fulfill our mission of bringing the joy of eating to our customers by sourcing fresh and quality ingredients directly from them. This has been especially helpful for the company in improving supply resiliency and cost efficiency. Still, for the farmers, this means an improved and consistent income that could help uplift their livelihood, scale their business, and obtain access to better financial services.”

FEP has accredited 30 farmer groups, comprising 1,400 farmers. To date, they have supplied 11 million kilos of fresh vegetables to Jollibee, generating sales of P500 million.

To date, FEP has accredited 30 farmer groups, comprising 1,400 farmers. Collectively, these farmers have supplied 11 million kilos of fresh vegetables to Jollibee, generating sales of P500 million.

In order to help more farmers learn the AECA approach, JGF and Xavier University launched in 2021 the Agro-Enterprise for Inclusive Value Chain (AEIVC) course. To date, more than 500 national and local government personnel and cooperative managers have completed the course and cascaded the concepts to the thousands of farmers they assist.

The Farmer Livelihood Recovery Program, which provides typhoon-affected farmers with seedlings and fertilizers and enhances their resilience by facilitating a speedier recovery, is part of FEP because of the Philippines’ susceptibility to natural disasters.

Jollibee Group and JGF continue to show their dedication to helping smallholder farmers by implementing programs like FEP, which strengthens sustainable supply chains and economic stability.

The inaugural batch of youth trainees under JGF’s ACE Program and Youthworks PH is set to begin their on-the-job training in select stores of Jollibee, Chowking, and Greenwich in Cebu.
 

Under the Jollibee Group Foundation’s (JGF),  Access, Curriculum, and Employability (ACE) Program and Youthworks PH, the first group of youth trainees will start their on-the-job training in a few Jollibee locations in Cebu, including Chowking and Greenwich. The Jollibee Group, the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Primary Structures Educational Foundation, Inc. – School of Knowledge for Industrial Labor, Leadership, and Service (PSEFI-SKILLS) have partnered to create this program.

The 21 “Not in Education, Employment, or Training” (NEET) youth trainees began their work-based training in Jollibee Group stores. This was the second phase of their training, which was supported by Jollibee Group and included the trainees’ housing and allowances, following ten weeks of classroom instruction. In addition, JGF and Jollibee Group collaborated with PSEFI-SKILLS to create the Quick Service Restaurant Operations (QSRO) track curriculum, which aims to close the knowledge gap in the food service sector for professionalized staff training.

The QSRO is one of the two tracks under the ACE Scholarship Program; the other track focuses on agriculture, which is done in partnership with technical-vocational training institutions to provide youth from low-income families the opportunity to stay in school and eventually improve their livelihoods.

The Supervised Industry Learning (SIL), an aspect of the Youthworks PH program, will run from September to December 2024. During this phase, the trainees will work alongside experienced store managers and crew members within Jollibee Group stores and will undertake a range of tasks including customer service, food handling, maintaining cleanliness and sanitation, and other operational procedures.

Launched in 2018, YouthWorks PH is a private sector initiative to increase access to quality training and employment opportunities for unemployed and out-of-school Filipino youth.

During the kick-off event last September 23, at Jollibee Parkmall in Mandaue City, Ruth Angeles, Chief Human Resources Officer for Jollibee Group Philippines emphasized the importance of SIL for the trainees.

“We are excited to welcome our trainees into the next phase of their program, where they will gain hands-on experience as skilled service crew. This part is crucial because it puts them in real-world situations and gives them the practical skills they need to handle the challenges of their job,” said Jollibee Group Chief of Human Resources Officer Ruth Angeles.

Investing in the future

The 21 youth trainees will be attending an intensive three-month on-the-job training that will allow them to learn competencies in Quick Service Restaurant Operations (QSRO) at select Jollibee Group stores.

As one of JGF’s core commitments in uplifting underprivileged youth, JGF President Gisela Tiongson underscored the value of investing in the future of the youth and creating pathways for their success.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to drive social change and open up more opportunities to help the next generation succeed and reach their dreams,” said Tiongson. “At Jollibee Group and JGF, we believe that by investing in youth education, we can build a more inclusive and resilient society where more people have a chance at a better life.”

Jessa Marie Jumao-as, one of the trainees of the YouthWorks PH program, said the workforce development training program has been a “transformative gift” for her. Prior to participating in the program, she used to be part of a cleaning service group, which made her realize that she is happy with work that deals with more people.

“I am very grateful to Jollibee Group and PSEFI-SKILLS for giving me the opportunity to become one of the ACE scholars and trainees of the YouthWorks PH program of PBED and USAID. I am grateful to them because they taught me new skills to be able to work in the food and beverage sector, and to have a better future. This has been a transformative experience,” said Jumao-as.

Youth unemployment is at 11.2%, despite the high number of vacancies in different industries.

“We are elated to see the pilot batch of 21 out-of-school youth in Cebu City jumpstart this opportunity. This project is a testament to what we can achieve when we break down silos and work together. When government, businesses, educators, and communities join forces, we can empower young people, unlock their potential, and build a brighter future for all,” said Executive Director of PBED Justine Raagas.

Together with PSEFI-SKILLS, PBEd, and USAID, Jollibee Group and JGF will continue to expand the ACE Scholarship and YouthWorks PH programs by bringing them closer to more trainees in other regions of the nation in order to further enhance the skills and create more opportunities for more NEET youth trainees.