Negrense couple, Ramon “Chin-Chin” Uy, Jr. and Francine Marañon-Uy were among the Town & Country’s list of 101 People You Must Meet Right Now in its August 2011 issue. The young couple owns Fresh Start Organics, a company established in 2005 and producer of certified organic fertilizers, salad greens, culinary herbs and spices, rice and coffee, free-range chicken and natural personal care products. The company has also expanded to PURO Organic for its processed food line of products.
Anybody who wants to know about going organic must really meet the couple. The couple are staunch supporters and advocate of the organic movement. Their company is a member of the Organic na Negros Organic Producers and Retailers Association. I’m fortunate to know the couple especially Chin-Chin in the course of my work. They are really passionate about going organic and it’s not just a belief for them, its already a way of life.
Through their company, they are also helping the small farmers earn more from their products. I once had a chance to interview Chin-Chin and I asked him since they are paying the farmers more than the prevailing farm-gate price fort their products, isn’t he concerned of their profit? He told me, they want to take the small farmers with their success. It doesn’t matter if they don’t earn as much as they could have when they can help a lot of small farmers in Negros.
Can you really taste the difference? That’s what Town & Country would like to ask the couple referring to organic food. I already have the answer from Chin-Chin when I once complained to him that the fruit mix at the Negros Occidental organic market doesn’t taste as good as before. He told me, that’s because they are now using fresh milk instead of evaporated milk. My taste buds which are accustomed to non-organic food is looking for the familiar, creamier taste of evaporated milk. So is organic food inferior in taste? No, says PURO Organic Manger Ronnie Guance. It’s just more challenging to come up with the right ingredients.
If you want to meet the couple and know more about their company and their advocacy, visit Fresh Start Organics Facebook page or their website.