Jollibee Food Group Considers Partnering With Filipino Farmer Cooperatives to Become Direct Rice Source for Stores
The Jollibee Food Group (JFG) is exploring the potential of partnering up with Filipino farmers to source rice directly from them for its stores. According to Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) senior manager Ma. Laize Ar Cruzat, JGF is in the initial stages of discussions with farmer cooperatives. She stated, “Weβre considering this with Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative, a long-standing partner. Weβre confident in their ability to supply quality rice.”
In Cebu alone, more than 100 Jollibee stores require thousands of kilograms of rice annually. Supplying the group’s Jollibee and Chowking stores could reach tens of millions of kilograms.
JGF program director Jan Paolo Vicente said that JFG stores currently source rice from local millers. According to him, JFG and JGF are evaluating several factors such as quality, adherence to good farming practices, and pesticide residue analysis (PRA) before directly sourcing from small-holder farmers.
JFG and JGF prefer to sign rice supply agreements with cooperatives and non-government organizations registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or accredited by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
One of the oldest and largest farm groups, Lamac Cooperative teamed up with JFG to deliver fresh produce to Jollibee and Chowking stores under the foundation’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP). They plan to supply at least 20% of JFG’s rice requirement starting in 2025.
The cooperative received a PHP 11 million grant from the national government for a rice warehouse, rice mill, and hauling trucks. The cooperative also formed a farming cluster in Bohol and expects to import rice from there.