Innovation

Navigating the challenges brought on by the pandemic, Bamboo Garden Catering Services demonstrated remarkable innovation to ensure the continuity of its business while also adapting to the evolving needs of its community. Faced with the hurdles of lockdowns and restrictions on large gatherings, the company swiftly strategized a new approach. Shifting to an online setup, Bamboo Garden Catering Services began offering smaller portions of its delectable dishes, catering to the demand for intimate family dinners and small gatherings. This shift significantly departed from the company's pre-pandemic practices, showcasing its adaptability in adversity. Reiterating Ms. Janette's insights from the interview, “We owe it to our employees to persevere. That’s why we had to embrace the new normal, learn the online platforms, and innovate to become more flexible and persevere.”

Bamboo Garden's culinary innovation extended to its menu, responding to the heightened awareness of dietary preferences and environmental concerns in today's health-conscious era, amplified by the ongoing pandemic. Proactively catering to the global shift towards healthier lifestyles, Bamboo Garden Catering Services expanded its offerings to include sustainable plant-based dishes, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to culinary trends. In curating this diverse and eco-conscious menu, Bamboo Garden Catering Services leveraged the expertise of its senior employees, who, being health-conscious themselves, played a pivotal role in crafting dishes that resonated with customers seeking both nutritious and flavorful options. As Ms. Janette said, “Our employees who are on the elderly side are already health-conscious themselves. That’s why preparing these kinds of food is their forte.” While other companies may lay off elderly employees, Bamboo Garden Catering Services maintains its senior citizen employees and homemakers to give a catering experience that makes customers feel something that resembles a mother’s love. These homemakers are women seeking jobs to support themselves and their families. These employees provide the expertise and knowledge to pass down to the younger employees in the company, ensuring that the catering service can maintain their food. The company is equally aware that it has to teach and support its senior employees to ensure their work performance. The management has invested in employee benefits and a flexible working environment.

Beyond adapting its menu, Bamboo Garden Catering Services embraced sustainability by introducing plastic alternatives for its food packaging, a strategic move to minimize its carbon footprint. Furthermore, displaying a commitment to employee support and local sourcing, the company began procuring ingredients from its workforce and local farmers. Employees who cultivated vegetables and raised livestock became integral contributors to the supply chain, fostering a sustainable, community-driven approach to sourcing.

Inspiration

The inspiration behind Bamboo Garden Catering Services is deeply rooted in the upbringing and values of its founder, Heidi, who comes from Dipolog, Philippines, a small city in Mindanao. Raised in a household where her parents instilled a love for cooking and farming, Heidi’s passion for food was nurtured amidst the nature – of her childhood. Despite initially pursuing a medical career, her love for culinary arts eventually led her to establish Bamboo Garden Catering Services, a venture born out of a profound love for food and community.

Inspired by older women in her community, Heidi's realization drives Bamboo Garden’s distinctive approach to employment. Including seniors and homemakers, employees underscore a commitment to breaking barriers, emphasizing that age and physical challenges should not impede individuals from pursuing their passions and supporting themselves and their families. This inclusive decision fostered a familial environment within the company, with employees spanning generations and being regarded not merely as staff but as integral family members.

Ultimately, as Bamboo Garden Catering Services expanded, Heidi’s commitment to sustainability aligned with a growing health-conscious mindset, responding to global trends and her journey toward a healthier lifestyle. Recognizing the aging clientele and the need to cater to health-conscious individuals, the company introduced a diverse range of dishes with these preferences. As Ms. Janette mentioned in her interview, “When you go to the events, every time they pray, they always say, bless those who prepared this food who will nourish our bodies. We owe it to them to make sure that it does.” Heidi’s hands-on involvement in the kitchen at age 85 exemplifies her dedication to Bamboo Garden’s mission, emphasizing that it goes beyond being a catering service to embody enduring values of family, inclusivity, and a passion for wholesome, sustainable living.

Overall impact

Through the business innovation of Bamboo Garden Catering Services, which employs elderly homemakers and prepares plant-based food meals, the company managed to help their local community meaningfully. The company improved the well-being of elderly homemakers, gaining a renewed sense of purpose. These employees were able to find a stable livelihood and address their needs. These homemakers specialize in creating plant-based meals due to their consciousness of their health and age. Thus, the company employed their culinary skills and expertise to promote a healthier lifestyle in their community.

In the long term, the company breaks down age stereotypes by promoting inclusivity in its operations, where multiple generations come together to help the company grow. Aside from this, the preparation of plant-based meals helps promote smart dietary habits in their community, leading to improved public health outcomes. Furthermore, the company sources all its ingredients locally and daily, reducing the environmental footprint that regular catering services have. Ms. Janette is proud of their menu, “The catering service provides products like their famous fresh lumpia (spring rolls), which is regarded as the best in their area, which helps provide an enjoyable, healthy, sustainable option."

Business benefit

Bamboo Garden Catering Services enjoys a dominant market position in Dipolog City. The business’ decision to prioritize employee well-being and plant-based meals provided a better working environment and easier supply chain management. The employment of senior citizens and homemakers aligns with the company’s values of serving with motherly love and promoting local hospitality in catering. In the interview, Ms. Janette stated, “With the elderly employees and homemakers, it is much easier for us to give that motherly or personal touch to all of our customers.” These values have strengthened the company’s brand reputation for its long-standing presence and for serving healthy food for more than three generations in Dipolog City.

The catering service’s plant-based options significantly impact the company’s performance. Aside from its appeal to health-conscious consumers and health benefits, Bamboo Garden Catering Services reduced operational costs. Its proximity to the rural landscape and farmers lessened its supply costs. Furthermore, the management does not need to order excessively, and this reduces vegetable spoilage while the company continues to sell fresh vegetable dishes.

The catering service prides itself on the generational legacy it has maintained. The company’s adherence to its original dishes attracts many tourists and old customers to relive and reminisce about the traditional cuisine and lifestyle in the developing city. Mr. Janette speaks of the high customer returns as evidence that local customers prefer the original and organic appeal of the company. Bamboo Garden Catering Services has plans to expand and further innovate its business practices. They look forward to further integrations with technology as their business grows.

Social and environmental benefit

Beyond its longevity and historical significance, Bamboo Garden Catering Services contributes significantly to social and environmental benefits. The company champions inclusivity and empowers individuals from diverse backgrounds with a workforce comprising six senior citizens and 35 homemakers among its 80 regular and 20 contractual employees. As Ms. Janette expressed, "I grew up with these people. They are like my aunts and uncles because they have been with us for a long time. So we take good care of them like family, and they, too, take good care of us." This sentiment highlights the familial bond within the company and the commitment to treating employees like family. By providing employment opportunities to seniors and homemakers, Bamboo Garden Catering Services fosters a supportive work environment and addresses societal challenges related to ageism and gender roles.

Moreover, the catering service's commitment to using plant-based ingredients in its diverse menu reflects a dedication to environmental sustainability. Sourcing from local farmers and ordering food ingredients ensures freshness and quality and minimizes food waste, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly operation. In this way, Bamboo Garden Catering Services stands as a beacon of social responsibility and environmental consciousness within the Dipolog community.

Bamboo Garden’s sustainability practices focus on SDG 3 (good health and well-being). The catering service’s plant-based food options and fresh vegetables allow its customers to consume healthy food. Furthermore, Bamboo Garden directly contributes to SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality and empowering all women. Senior citizens and homemakers account for around 40% of their total employees. Including seniors in the workforce aligns with SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth). The employment of seniors, particularly homemakers, breaks barriers and stigma against them while allowing them to work with dignity.

Aside from this, SDG 11, or sustainable cities and communities, is present. The company’s decision to source its ingredients locally supports local farmers and promotes economic growth within the community. The company desires to support the local economy while providing healthy meals to the market. The company upholds SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production). The commitment to plant-based ingredients and minimizing food waste aligns with the goal of responsible and sustainable consumption and production patterns. Using plastic alternatives is another significant step in reducing plastic waste and creating a sustainable business practice. The holistic approach to integrating social inclusivity and environmental sustainability into its business model demonstrates how a family business in Mindanao can be a powerful organization for change. Bamboo Garden Catering Services has aligned its practices with various SDGs and showcases the proactive role of a company to lead a more sustainable and equitable future.

Interview

Janette R. Asprer, Chief Financial Officer