Exploring Quezon City’s Food System: A Virtual Video Tour of Food Markets,Urban Agriculture and Sustainability

by Arma Bertuso and Gordon Prain

Quezon City, one of the bustling metropolises of the Philippines, is famous for its dynamic urban landscape, thriving businesses, and cultural landmarks. But beneath the surface of this classic city skyline lies a complex, vibrant food system that feeds millions of residents daily. A new and captivating virtual video tour – “Follow the Gulay” has opened a window into this complex food ecosystem, offering viewers a deeper understanding of how food flows through the city. This immersive experience is a visual journey, blending stunning aerial shots with insightful interviews, guiding us through the various layers of food production, distribution, and consumption – revealing the interconnectedness of its various components and the pivotal role each player has in maintaining a steady food supply.

The Journey of Vegetables: From Farms to City Markets

The video opens with an aerial view of Quezon City, bustling with activity and life. As we zoom in, the scene transitions to the wholesale trading markets, where a diverse range of vendors receive fresh vegetables from nearby and distant farms, and are actively selling them to local traders. Through interviews with market stall owners, we learn about the logistics of moving food from farm to city. It’s a process that involves trucks, tricycles, and countless individuals, all working in tandem to ensure that fresh produce reaches consumers as quickly as possible.

The tour highlights the significant role of food market vendors and hawkers in ensuring that fresh and nutritious vegetables are accessible to consumers in the city. It also showcases how urban agriculture thrives in the city through community gardeners, planting vegetables in local spaces to ensure their own produce and help feed their neighbors. These urban agriculture initiatives continue to play an important role in providing access to fresh, healthy food for city residents. The video underscores how these local market vendors and gardeners not only provide sustenance but also contribute to the broader goal of food security, particularly in densely populated urban areas.