GenTri Dairy Box showcases carabao’s milk products, local goods

GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite — The GenTri Dairy Box in Barangay Santiago sells locally made dairy products from carabao’s milk, part of efforts to support local farmers, agriculture and community-based businesses.

The store is managed by the GenTri Dairy Raisers Multipurpose Cooperative. Behind it is the General Trias Dairy Processing Plant, a commercial-scale facility that can process up to 500 liters of milk. The plant makes products under the brand “GenTri’s Best: Gatas ng Kalabaw,” using raw milk from local farmers and cooperatives. Carabao is the Philippine water buffalo, and “gatas ng kalabaw” means carabao’s milk.

The store sells fresh carabao’s milk, kasilyo (a soft white cheese also known as kesong puti), chocolate milk, ice cream, Milk-O-Gel, pastillas (a milk-based candy), yogurt and ice candies. It also carries other products from General Trias and nearby Cavite towns, including Jacobina biscuits, Noraben’s patis (fish sauce), coffee beans, bagoong alamang (fermented shrimp paste), chicharon (fried pork rinds) and various pasalubong, or souvenir items.

The plant will operate under a cooperative model, with a plant manager overseeing operations. Cooperative members who work in processing will receive training and attend seminars to build their skills in dairy processing and business management.

The products are expected to reach retail stores, school canteens, subdivisions and other local establishments. The Dairy Box will also serve walk-in customers and provide a venue for small local producers to showcase their goods.

The initiative highlights the continuing role of carabao’s milk in the city’s agricultural livelihood and food culture. The Dairy Box hopes to eventually feature a wider range of Cavite-made products, giving more local producers a place to sell and consumers greater access to local goods.