Mang Inasal Supports the Filipino Farmer Livelihood Initiative

Do you know where your food comes from? Have you ever thought about the ingredients being used to get that savory, juicy, and deliciously char-grilled Chicken Inasal? Where does Mang Inasal even get it? You would be happy to know that every meal you buy from Mang Inasal supports the Filipino Farmer Livelihood Initiative.

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The Filipino Farmer Livelihood Initiative

“Every Chicken Inasal order contributes to the livelihood of smallholder farmers under the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) of the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF),” said Mang Inasal Business Unit Head Mike V. Castro “This is because FEP farmers supply fresh ginger, one of many natural ingredients used to make the marinade of our famous Chicken Inasal.” 

FEP is a multi-awarded initiative that enables and empowers smallholder farmers with leadership skills, and systems needed to collectively market their produce to institutional buyers like Mang Inasal, resulting in increased and sustained income. 

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“There are many barriers that our farmers face today in getting their crops to markets and suppliers,” Castro added. “By purchasing directly from farmers, Mang Inasal is able to support our farmers and uplift them, so they have more opportunities to earn and become entrepreneurs themselves.” 

The group supplying ginger to Mang Inasal is the AGAP Farmers’ Association. It has 37 ginger farmers from three clusters who used to sell their vegetables on their own and struggled to find a stable market.  

Surviving the Pandemic Together

With JGF and its partner Ahon sa Hirap Inc. (ASHI), farmers from Laguna and Rizal learned to work together as clusters and produce ginger that adheres to the quality standards set by an institutional market like Mang Inasal.  

In 2021, their first year as Mang Inasal suppliers, the farmers delivered 22% of the company’s requirements for the year.  

Vicente Bojawe, 58, is one of the farmers under AGAP. “Noong una, malaking hamon sa amin ang magdeliver sa malaking market kasi maraming training at kulang kami sa experience. Sa tulong ng Jollibee Group Foundation at ASHI, nagkaroon kami ng guide at ngayon ay natupad na ang pangarap namin namakapag-deliver sa Mang Inasal (At first, it was a big challenge for us to deliver to a big market as we needed training and welacked experience. Through Jollibee Group Foundation and ASHI, we received guidance and achieved our dream of delivering to Mang Inasal),” he shared. Vicente’s increased earnings helped him build his house and invest more in his farm. 

So next time you find yourself craving a hearty, “Ihaw-Sarap” meal, don’t hesitate to visit your nearest Mang Inasal branch and order the Chicken Inasal meal.

• Continue to support our farmers by ordering Mang Inasal’s Chicken Inasal meal via dine-in, takeout, or delivery via the Mang Inasal Delivery App, http://manginasaldelivery.com.ph/, GrabFood, and foodpanda.

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