Food items donated and rescued at the Bacolod South (Libertad) Public Market in Bacolod City have benefited at least 40 families from three barangays in the month of August, city government data on Tuesday, Sept. 1, showed.
Under the G-Merkado Social Responsibility Program, about 622 kg. of fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat, and groceries were received from vendors from Aug. 8 to 26.
City Administrator Mark Mayo said the pilot implementation of the program at Libertad Market has drawn support from vendors who have long wanted to take part in such a program to give back to those in need.
“We set up a corner at the market where they can donate food items. We thank our vendors for the donation that we can also give for free to a community pantry,” he said in an interview.
Among the produce collected were 331.45 kg. of vegetables and 266.96 kg. of fruits, of which 96 percent were supposed to be thrown away but were instead saved and distributed.
The city’s G-Merkado Social Responsibility Program has partnered with social enterprise Sagup Negros, which collects the surplus food and helps provide food access to families in need through its community pantry.
“What started as a food rescue consolidation hub simulation at Libertad Public Market on Aug. 8 has now evolved into a working system, demonstrating how surplus produce can be properly collected, consolidated, and redirected to communities in need,” Sagup Negros said in a Facebook post.
Following initial implementation last month, the expansion of the food integration initiative is being considered to include the Bacolod North (Burgos) Public Market and Bacolod Central Market.
“The goal is collecting more food waste, recyclable materials, and edible produce that can be redirected to communities in need,” the Office of the City Administrator said in a statement.
The recently passed City Ordinance 1144, otherwise known as the Food Waste Reduction and Sustainable Food Practices Ordinance, seeks to strengthen the city’s commitment to reducing food waste and promoting more sustainable food practices.*PNA
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