Amare La Cucina Rescues 600 Kilos of Benguet Cherry Tomatoes

We often read news about the spoilage of local produce, which could be attributed to various factors such as transport and logistics issues, hot and humid climate, fluctuating market demand, improper handling, inadequate storage, insufficient processing facilities, and/or lack of cold chain infrastructre.

At times, spoilage is caused by inconsiderate and heartless buyers who order produce in large quantities only to cancel their orders later. This happened to a group of farmers from Benguet, who received advance orders totaling two tons of cherry tomatoes, only to have them canceled.

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"Yesterday, we had a conversation with one of our dedicated farmer-suppliers, Sherly, that truly struck a chord with us," wrote Amare founder Edmark Bustos on his Facebook page last week. "She shared the disheartening news that they are forced to dispose of 600 kg of cherry tomatoes, with even more expected to go to waste until the end of August. As part of the Amare La Cucina family, this news deeply saddened us. The thought of these hard-working farmers losing their income and their produce going to waste is heartbreaking."

To help the farmers, Bustos decided to purchase 600 kilos of these juicy and delicious highland cherry tomatoes and create a special menu that would make use of them. "These tomatoes are more than just an ingredient; they are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our farmers. By featuring them in our dishes, we hope to not only showcase their deliciousness but also support our local farmers during this challenging time," he added.

Cherry Tomato Gelato at Amare La Cucina

Last July 5, Amare La Cucina's Baguio City branch launched its Cherry Tomato Series, featuring dishes such as Caprese con Burrata, Farmer's Salad, Pasta Salmone e Confit, Puttanesca Bianca, Gambero Piccante Pesto, Mama Edsa's Pizza, Pizza di Parma, and Cherry Tomato Gelato with Almonds. Customers could also buy fresh cherry tomatoes from the store.

On Friday, July 12, some of these menu items will also be offered in all 16 branches of Amare, along with Cherry Tomato Confit in small glass containers.

Bustos is also encouraging other restaurant owners to help the Benguet farmers. They may get in touch with Sherly at 0995-454-6148.