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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Communities for Alternative Food Ecosystems Initiative, CAFEi Center, Jade Street , cor Guadalajara St. , Buena Hills Subd, Guadalupe, Cebu City (2026)

Background

The Communities for Alternative Food Ecosystems Initiative (CAFÉi) is a SEC-registered non-government organization. The purpose of CAFÉi is to cultivate a food ecosystem of communities that nourishes a healthy and vibrant life for all. Over the years, the organizational strengths developed are a sense of community, strong multi-sectoral network, pioneering direct organic farm-to-consumer system in Cebu, and co-creativity and innovation. A significant aspect of this framework is the direct interaction of the farmers with the market, home and eateries, and consumers in order to have a first-hand experience of their buyers. And for the consumers to have a first-hand experience of their food growers and their processed food makers. Another advantage is the awareness of preservation and protection of indigenous plants that will allow farmers to share their individual stories as part of their cultural legacy. Consumers whether individual or institutional buyers will be able to have fresh healthy choices, ask questions and learn from the farmers/growers. CAFÉi is supported by a strong multi-sectoral network of farmers, producers and consumers. Most of these farmers come from far-flung areas within Cebu province and extending to Region 7. It has been running regular weekly markets in different locations in Cebu City. CAFEi has forged partnerships with farmer associations throughout Cebu, other NGOs and with government agencies. It has been affiliated with local and international organisations and various health, food research, culinary and heritage institutions. Our Vision

Food for the Well-Being of All, people & planet. Our Mission

To cultivate a food ecosystem among communities who choose food growing, trading, preparing and consuming practices that affirm and nourish a healthy and vibrant Life for our earth and all its inhabitants. Our Core Values

Values we cultivate continually, as the source of our work:

Connectedness
Service
Integrity
Mutuality
Love

11/08/2026

We, Communities for Alternative Food Ecosystems Initiative (CAFEi), just held the second of our four organic farming sessions with farmers from the Cambinocot Multipurpose Cooperative.

One of the highlights of the session was our conversation about “karaan nga pamaagi” sa pagpanguma, the farming practices and knowledge passed down through generations.

The discussion reminded us that many of the ideas we now associate with organic agriculture have long been part of how communities farm. Long before “organic farming” became a formal term, our ancestors were already learning from the land, working with natural processes, and developing practices suited to their local environments.

One of CAFEi's team members, Ma’am Rosshamea Sacamay Jancinal(Jham), puts it beautifully:

“Karaan man siya, pero dili siya walay pulos.”

It may be old, but that doesn’t mean it has no value.

Rather than seeing traditional knowledge and newer approaches as opposites, the session gave us an opportunity to think about what they can offer each other. Moving forward can also mean looking back, recognizing the knowledge passed down by earlier generations and bringing it into conversation with science, new techniques, and the experiences of farmers today.

Two sessions down, two more to go!

29/07/2026

Over the past few months, the CAFEi team has been on a series of learning journeys across Mindanao and Negros, visiting inspiring farms, community initiatives, and practitioners who are cultivating resilient and regenerative food systems. From small household gardens and food forests to integrated farms, community-led enterprises, and farm-to-table initiatives, each visit offered new ways of thinking about food, farming, and community resilience.

These journeys weren't about finding a single model to replicate. Instead, they reminded us that every community has its own strengths, landscapes, and possibilities. By listening, observing, asking questions, and sharing experiences with fellow growers, we continue to deepen our own practice and thoughtfully adapt what we learn to the communities we work alongside in Cebu.

One of our biggest takeaways is that resilient food ecosystems are built through continuous learning, collaboration, and relationships. They connect food, health, livelihoods, biodiversity, and community, while making the most of the resources already around us.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who welcomed us onto their farms, shared their knowledge so generously, and reminded us that building food sovereignty is something we do together. We look forward to carrying these lessons into the next stage of our work with our partner communities. 🌾💚

Thank you to: 🙏

🌿 BALAY SA UMA, Catalunan Grande, Davao
🌿 AKKAP, Balay Tambalanan, Kidapawan City
🌿 BUSY HANDS, HAPPY HEARTS FARM, Davao
🌿 FLOW FOREST FARM, Davao
🌿 HUNI FARM, Davao
🌿 LA FERMETTE & TOMATE CERISE FARM-TO-TABLE RESTAURANT, Davao
🌿 MAY'S GARDEN, Bacolod City
🌿 CHRIS FADRIGA, Bago City
🌿 JIM COFFEE FARM, Bago City
🌿 ESPINOSA'S FAMILY FARM, Victorias City

20/07/2026

🌱 A Training Program for Regeneration, Resiliency and Sovereignty 🌾

On Saturday, Communities for Alternative Food Ecosystems Initiative (CAFEi) ran Module 1 of our Training Program for Regenerativity, Resiliency and Sovereignty with farmers from the Cambinocot Multi-Purpose Cooperative who are interested in making the shift to organic farming. 🌱🌿

It was a high-energy day of learning and sharing, beginning with farmers' own readiness, goals, and hopes for transitioning to organic. Together, we explored the principles of permaculture, regenerative agriculture, seed saving and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, and the urgency of transitioning away from chemical inputs and commercially controlled seeds towards farmer-led food sovereignty through organic agriculture. We discussed how these approaches are grounded in farmers' own knowledge, practices, and relationships with the land.

The day also included practical workshops on making Compost Tea and Calcium Phosphate (CalPhos), alongside an introduction to electroculture. It was a wonderful start to the training program and an important step towards greater farmer-led food sovereignty in Cambinocot. 🌾

14/07/2026

🌱 Growing Together: Our GIY Community of Practice

We're excited to share the launch of the Grow-It-Yourself Community of Practice (GIY CoP)! 💚

The Grow It Yourself Project (GIY) journey has grown through the years, from backyard gardens to shared community growing spaces. Now, five GIY Edible Garden Communities are coming together to continue learning, sharing, and growing with one another:

🌿 Bukas Palad Housing I & II, Barangay San Vicente, Liloan (with Bukas Palad Social Center)
🌿 Paglaum sa Kinabuhi (with the Apostolic Sisters of St. John - Cebu)
🌿 San Jose Grow-it-Yourself Advocates (SJ GIYA), Barangay San Jose, Cebu City
🌿 Children's Paradise Montessori School Edible Gardens
🌿 Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa Garden to Table

A Community of Practice brings together people with a shared interest or craft to learn with and from one another over time.

Together, the five GIY communities form a living network for collaboration and shared learning. Members exchange gardening techniques, sustainability practices, and local knowledge to explore more environmentally friendly ways of growing food, while strengthening connections between communities through their shared care for the environment. 🌿

We look forward to seeing what the communities will learn from one another and how the network will grow. 💚

Padayon ta sa pagtubo, pagkat-on, ug pagtinabangay! 🌱

11/01/2026

🌍✨ 👩🏽‍🌾 2026 is the INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE WOMAN FARMER!

This year shines a spotlight on the incredible women who cultivate our fields, nurture our gardens, and sustain our communities. Their work is the backbone of resilient food systems, yet too often their voices and contributions are overlooked.

At Communities for Alternative Food Ecosystems Initiative Cebu Farmers Market Grow It Yourself Project, we celebrate and dedicate our mission to all the women farmers and urban gardeners whose hearts and hands feed a nation and care for our planet.

Here’s to honoring their wisdom, resilience, and love for the earth—because when women farmers thrive, communities flourish. 🌸🌍

23/12/2025

ORGANIC & REGENERATIVE FARMING WORKSHOP | BALAMBAN, CEBU | DECEMBER 20, 2025

Yesterday, Communities for Alternative Food Ecosystems Initiative (CAFEi) had the privilege of journeying into the mountains of Balamban to conduct an Organic and Regenerative Farming Workshop for 103 farmers—a gathering made possible through the initiative of Balamban Mayor Amos Canahug and Baltz Jr. Tribunalo , the warm reception and support of the Barangay Captain Bebelonio Pepito of Sunog, and the inspiring service of the Youth of Balamban (EYB) who organized the venue and meals with such heart.

Balamban is one of many towns across Cebu that suffered deeply from the floods and landslides brought by Typhoon Tino. The scars on the land are still visible, and the stories of loss are still fresh. But in the midst of this devastation, we also witnessed a silver lining emerging.

First, there is now a growing awareness that the destruction we experienced is not just “natural.” It is also the result of years of irresponsible development in our mountains—digging into fragile slopes to force roads, deforestation, and the widespread use of chemicals and glyphosate in farming. These practices weaken the land, poison the soil, and leave communities vulnerable. How is this a silver lining? It is because we accept our responsibility, that we are part of the problem, and therefore we CAN do something about it. BE the solution.

Second, we are seeing a rising commitment across Cebu to transform how we grow food, how we care for our mountains, and how we design development. Farmers, youth, barangay leaders, and communities are stepping forward with a renewed desire for food security rooted in ecological consciousness —starting with rebuilding soil health, restoring biodiversity, and farming in ways that strengthen rather than strip the land.

This workshop in Balamban is one of many sparks. And CAFEi is committed to fanning these sparks into a movement.

We commit to walking with farming communities throughout Cebu who are ready to farm, produce food, share and market food in a different way—an alternative way. A way that honors the land. A way that restores dignity to farmers. A way that nourishes both people and planet.

As our vision states: Food for the Wellbeing of All—People and Planet.

The journey of transformation has begun. And we are grateful to be taking it together. Rina Nibalik Sol Torres Teresa D. Ruelas

Address

CAFEi Center, Jade Street , Cor Guadalajara St. , Buena Hills Subd, Guadalupe
Cebu City
6000

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://cafeicebu.org/

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