Siargao Farmers Building Direct Links with Food Businesses

 

Local farms supply more resorts and cafes each year. Buyers look for fresh produce, and farmers respond with direct links that shorten travel time and support rural income. These connections strengthen the island’s food systems and reduce dependence on produce shipped from the mainland.

Key NGOs and Aggregators

A few groups help farmers reach food businesses in a direct and organized way.

Lokal Lab is the most active network supporting small growers. They run the Farm Network, which links farmers to restaurants. They also manage the Lokal Tabo, a weekly market where chefs and cafe owners buy vegetables, fruits and herbs. The Hub, their community center and kitchen, highlights ingredients sourced from partner farmers.

Siargao Green Market refers to community market initiatives where growers present organic produce, fruits and livestock. These events help buyers meet farmers, although Lokal Tabo remains the most established brand.

Verified Local Farms

Several farms supply produce directly to restaurants and residents.

Hardin ng Pagbabago is located in Barangay Corazon in General Luna. It is a community farm known for growing squash, watermelon and tomatoes. The farm supports local families and helps supply small cafes.

Bayatakan Farm is in Barangay Baybay in the municipality of Burgos. It is a collective where families manage individual plots. Buyers harvest produce on site and weigh it before purchase. This system gives businesses access to fresh crops with minimal transport.

Tropical Academy in San Isidro is a Lokal Lab demo farm and training site. It produces select high quality crops and teaches best practices to new growers.

Siargao Organic Farm supplies lettuce, herbs such as mint and basil and livestock like native chicken and pigs. Many resorts work with them because they want fresh ingredients grown on the island.

Restaurants with Local Supply Links

A few restaurants show how direct sourcing works in practice.

Roots works with local farmers and fishermen. Their menu follows what growers produce each week, which gives the restaurant a strong farm to table identity.

The Hub by Lokal Lab uses ingredients from partner farms and demonstrates how direct sourcing fits into daily kitchen operations.

Inara Siargao offers dishes built around local produce and promotes a farm to table approach.

Government and Official Channel

Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita, run by the Department of Agriculture, organizes direct selling events in General Luna. These events give farmers access to buyers without middlemen.

Accredited farmer groups such as the Siargao Island Small Scale Farmers Association and the Suyangan Farmers Organization help growers reach markets and receive training.