In December 2012, SEDPI Social Enterprise Ventures, Inc. (SSEVI) conducted a study on the quality of life of the Good Food Community (GFC) farmers. The result showed that a significant number of the farmers are women. In Philippine society, farming is typically the role of the husband. Their average age is 55 years old. Two in every three farmers were able to reach high school. Three out of the four farmers own their lot while the rest are either rent or are caretakers of the land. The average land area cultivated and devoted to organic farming is 8,000 square meters.<\/p>\n
Six in every ten farmers shared that they had increase in income because of GFC. Since joining the program, almost all of the farmers shared that their diet improved due to increased consumption of vegetables and meat. All of them are also able to send their children to school. Majority of the farmers explained that GFC was able to help them send their children to school since they are better able to provide allowance to their children and purchase school requirements. Close to three in every ten farmers were able to repair their houses and a few were able to expand their homes and installed electricity when they participated in GFC\u2019s community shared agriculture. Almost all of the respondents attribute their ability to purchase food for their family due to GFC while majority said they are able to pay their utility bills and purchase household items due to the same.<\/p>\n
Since joining GFC\u2019s program, more than half of the farmers said that they expanded their farming activity. Based on the assessment of the farmers, their farming business improved from an average rating of 2.87 to 5.40. The farmers were asked on the condition of their farming business with 10 as the best condition and 1 as the poorest condition. Although still far from the ideal business condition, there is marked improvement in the assessment of the farmers.<\/p>\n
The farmers were also generally satisfied with the partnership with GFC. The average satisfaction rating was 8.7 out of a possible score of ten. The farmers appreciate the presence of GFC especially that it provides them with an assured market for their vegetable produce. They said that they are able to get better price for their vegetables compared to other trades who would give lower farm gate prices. They also like that GFC provides them with seeds they can plant. What they appreciate most if through GFC\u2019s community shared agriculture program, they are able to have steady source of income.<\/p>\n
There are still a lot of challenges that need to be addressed to improve GFC operations. The farmers would like to increase production of their vegetables but there is currently not enough demand for organic vegetables. They also need additional financial assistance and provisions for farm equipment and green houses. GFC plans to address all of these challenges and SSEVI would be providing assistance to GFC to overcome these challenges.<\/p>\n
GFC is a social enterprise that implements community shared agriculture. It supports around 20 farmers in Capas, Tarlac by directly linking them to socially aware and health conscious consumers in Metro Manila. GFC was the 2011 winner of the British Council\u2019s \u201cI am a Changemaker\u201d Competition. Since then, SSEVI provided technical assistance to the group. SSEVI is also an equity investor in GFC.<\/p>\n