Product Offerings
Products:
Organic Vegetables: pechay, lettuce, cherry tomato, beans, eggplant, ampalaya
Processed Products: vegetable chips, organic noodles, organic teas
La Trinidad Organic Practitioners Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LaTOP), headquartered in La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines, is a community-based cooperative dedicated to promoting sustainable organic farming. LaTOP unites smallholder farmers under a single cooperative umbrella to ensure equitable access to markets, capacity-building, and value-added production. Its mission centers around uplifting livelihoods while safeguarding ecological integrity through organic practices.
Core Business and Product Offerings
LaTOP specializes in the cultivation, processing, and marketing of certified organic produce and processed goods. Its product portfolio includes:
Fresh Organic Vegetables
- Pechay (bok choy)
- Lettuce (various varieties)
- Cherry Tomato
- Beans
- Eggplant
- Ampalaya (bitter gourd)
Processed Organic Products
- Vegetable Chips (mixed and single-vegetable varieties)
- Organic Noodles
- Organic Herbal Teas (ginger, turmeric, lemon grass)
These products are distributed through institutional buyers, farmers' markets, and export channels catering to the organic segment.
Specialization and Unique Value Proposition
LaTOP’s primary advantage lies in its community-based organic production system that emphasizes traceability, zero-chemical farming, and inclusivity. Unique value points include:
- Certified Organic Production under local and international standards
- Collective farm-to-market systems minimizing middlemen
- Processing capacity for value-added goods
- Support for indigenous and marginalized farming communities
Their system integrates technical support, training, and market facilitation for over 50 member-farmers in Benguet.
Financial and Operational Strength
Although LaTOP operates as a non-profit cooperative, its financial sustainability is bolstered through:
- Sales of organic fresh and processed products
- Institutional contracts with supermarkets and eco-tourism resorts
- Participation in DA, DTI, and LGU-supported agribusiness development grants
The cooperative’s model enables cost-sharing and pooled resources for marketing, logistics, and certification.
Export and Shipment Records
LaTOP is registered as an exporter with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Philippines and has participated in international trade exhibitions including:
- IFEX Philippines
- Organic Asia Congress
- ASEAN Organic Exhibitions
Small-scale shipments of herbal teas and processed snacks have been made to specialty stores in Japan and South Korea. Their products are also supplied to eco-conscious domestic resort chains and organic groceries.
Target Market
LaTOP serves a variety of markets including:
- Local Organic Enthusiasts and Health-Conscious Consumers
- Institutional Buyers (schools, hospitals)
- Eco-tourism and Hospitality Businesses
- Exporters and Importers of Organic Specialties
Their core consumers are driven by health, sustainability, and support for local farmers.
Capabilities and Infrastructure
- Central collection and consolidation facility in La Trinidad
- In-house processing kitchen for snacks, teas, and noodles
- Cold chain logistics for fresh vegetables
- Partnerships with LGUs and NGOs for training and infrastructure support
- Organic certification facilitation services for members
These capabilities allow the cooperative to meet retail, institutional, and export requirements consistently.
Certifications and Compliance
- Certified Organic by NICERT under the Philippine National Standard for Organic Agriculture
- Compliant with DTI and DA export protocols
- Member of the Philippine National Organic Agriculture Board
Their certification ensures credibility in both domestic and international markets.
Customer Testimonials
Feedback from buyers frequently highlights LaTOP’s freshness, natural taste, and consistent quality. Institutional partners have recognized the cooperative’s integrity and grassroots empowerment. Several health and wellness advocates recommend LaTOP products for their nutritional value and environmental commitment.
Major Achievements
- Over 15 years of sustained organic operations
- Established retail presence in Baguio City and Metro Manila
- Recognized by the Department of Agriculture and Organic Certification Centers
- Export participation in Asia-Pacific organic trade events
- Product development innovations including herbal teas and vegetable-based snacks
LaTOP continues to lead as a model for rural community organic empowerment, proving that profitability and sustainability can thrive together through cooperative action.