By SM Investments
Agriculture is one of the major sectors in the country with over 10 million individuals in the industry. SM recognizes that as a group, supporting the sector leads to improved livelihoods, food security and a stronger economy.
Through food retail affiliate and community shopping mall chain WalterMart, its Palengke Fresh program provides Filipino farmers with solid market access that enables them to bring healthy farm-fresh produce to the customers efficiently.
WalterMart goes above and beyond hosting products from farmers for just a limited period. Rather than bringing them in through concessionaires, they integrate them across 38 stores by providing a venue for them to sell daily.
“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,” said SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic C. DyBuncio. “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.”
The Palengke Fresh program along with SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabahuyan [KSK] program are concrete examples of how the SM group is working closely with the agriculture sector to help elevate farming communities in the Philippines.
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