The McDonald´s restaurant franchise is 100% committed to the inputs behind its menu products being produced in Panamanian soils, with the aim of contributing to the economic development of Panama, said Adriana Paredes, communications manager of Arcos Dorados Panama.
According to Paredes, they recently launched the “I am from here” campaign, to visualize and know all the work done by their local suppliers who often do not know that 100% of their vegetables, meats and chicken are made here in Panama by local suppliers.
He commented that right now for everything that is food supplies, they are working with seven producers, but they have several more in other areas of the company such as packaging, everything that is logistics.
“We have many national producers and workers here in Panama, but today we are paying tribute to the seven that are the food part. They are producers, poultry farmers and engineers from Tierras Altas Darién, Los Santos so that our work has that Panamanian flavor,” Paredes explained.
He added that they will always make sure that the first option is a local supplier to boost the Panamanian economy, which are well received at McDonald´s in Panama, ensuring that the inputs are 100% Panamanian.
On the other hand, Loney Armijo, Managing Director of Arcos Dorados Panama, indicated that the company highlights the relationship they have built over the years with their network of national suppliers.
“This relationship contributes to boosting the local economy in different areas of the country, much of McDonald’s’s success in Panama is thanks to the dedication of our suppliers, who, in each new opening, have been able to adapt and take on new challenges. We are convinced that this alliance that we celebrate and reaffirm today in the long term is the path to growth and mutual success,” Armijo said.
He also mentioned that the meat cakes for hamburgers come from Fortunato Mangravita, the oldest supplier for more than 50 years, and that it is characterized by being 100% beef produced with local farmers on farms located in Darién, Los Santos and other areas of the country.
Also, the companies Melo, Arce Avícola and Toledano, are in charge of providing the pieces with which they make their fried chicken, the breasts are processed for the elaboration of the nuggets and they also provide the eggs for breakfast
Another supplier is Cultivos Selectos for more than 30 years, which is in charge of delivering the lettuce and onion that are sown and harvested in the Highlands. The tomato is provided by the company Cerro Punta, which integrates innovative and high-tech processes in their plantings, which allow them to deliver products of the highest quality.
The milk of the smoothies and yogurt come from the Estrella Azul farms located in Chiriquí, while Riba Smith, prepares the tortillas and carimañolas for typical breakfast, integrating indigenous products from Panama into its menu.