There is no denying that the green restaurant movement is picking up steam.  The need to provide healthy, fresh, and organic dishes has influenced restaurant owners to look at “going green” in a new light. 

Inspired by this green dining trend, Antonio Alleje together with his Swiss-Filipino wife Jacqueline Haessig-Alleje put up Rizal Dairy Farm, a green gourmet restaurant that offers fresh milk-based products such as fresh mozzarella, ricotta, plain and flavored yogurts, and Swiss quark cottage cheese, including non-dairy products, such as salad dressings and sauces, and signature gourmet dishes.  While Antonio manages the farm and oversees the production of their food products, Jacqueline takes charge of the marketing and promotion.  The food company supplies their product line to hotels and restaurants in Metro Manila. 

“Rizal Dairy Farms has a recipe that would suit everybody’s cravings – from full fat, low fat, and non-fat,” said Jacqueline.  Jacqueline was also amazed of the abundant ingredients that can be found in the country.  She then authored several recipes and menu plans for organic South Beach Diet, using locally available ingredients to serve the health conscious Filipinos. 

“We are using fresh cow's milk from Tanay, Rizal and sometimes from Laguna, dairy cultures (probiotics) are from Switzerland, and the vegetables from Tanauan, Batangas and Tagaytay in Cavite.  The organic vegetables we use in our gourmet recipes are certified organic,” added Jacqueline.

Antonio Alleje, a farm owner based in Tanay, Rizal recognizes that there is a consistent demand for fresh, healthy, and reasonably priced food.  He also knows that some suppliers, in order to meet said demand resort to deceptive practices – bombarding fruits, vegetables, poultry, and dairy products with pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics that may help keep increase shelf life but, endanger human health. 

Alleje is aware that produce raised by natural and sustainable farming methods yields harvest that is healthy, nourishing, and flavorful for all.  After all naturally reared crops and livestock, Antonio believes complement biological needs.

Combining business and advocacy

 “Consumers from urban and rural areas prefer organic foods, however, it is not highly accessible and not readily available compared with mass-produced foods,” said Jacqueline.  This prompted Jacquline to initate the organic movement in the Philippines.  Rizal Dairy Farms became the founding member of the Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP) and Organic Producers Trade Association in the Philippines (OPTA).  The company also formed the Organic Farming Production, Training, and Consultancy, Inc., which offers training and consultancy services for farm owners who want to adopt organic practices in their farming venture.  This initiative led to the propagation of the economic and environmental benefits of organic farming among the farm owners in the Philippines.

With Jacqueline’s enthusiasm on combining business with advocacy, the Philippines was included in the global map of organic agriculture.   She serves as a World Board member for IFOAM, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement, the umbrella organization of organic agriculture with head quarters in Bonn, Germany. “Organic agriculture allows a sustainable development pattern that allows economic development to meet the basic needs of people without adding environmental pressure, which is one of the main overall benefits of organic agriculture,” said Jacqueline. 

Rizal Dairy Farms will launch its new healthy thirst quencher at the fair -- the Sweet Rush Lemongrass tea.  “This healthy drink is also a natural detoxifier that can be enjoyed hot or cold,” said Jacqueline. 

Lemongrass (Cymboporon citrates), a perennial herb usually found in the tropics produces a fragrant odor, while its leaves produce citrus taste and the roots with ginger-like flavor.  Used to flavor wines, sauces, and spices, lemongrass is also known to be an effective relief for stomach discomfort.

Aside from promoting the healthy drink made from Lemongrass, Rizal Dairy Farms also seeks to further develop its distribution system for the new product. 

Sharing the benefits and pleasures of healthy eating

To further promote the benefits and pleasures of eating organic foods, Rizal Dairy Farms will join the BIO-Search on 16-19 October at the SMX Convention Center.  BIO-Search is the Health and Wellness Segment of the Manila F.A.M.E. International, the show for the Philippines’ design-driven sector, led by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM).