SURIGAO CITY — A one‑stop dairy shop in Barangay Trinidad, Surigao City, offers Surigaonons direct access to fresh carabao milk and locally made dairy products. The Dairy Box operates as a project of the Philippine Carabao Center at Central Mindanao University in Bukidnon, developed in collaboration with the Surigao City government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The Trinidad Sustainable Livelihood Program Association manages the facility, with members having received training to produce carabao milk products. The shop makes it easier for people to buy fresh carabao milk and other products while directly supporting the farmers who raise the animals.
Fresh Milk and Flavored Drinks
The shop's selection centers on fresh pasteurized carabao milk, which is known for its creamy and rich taste. Customers can purchase plain fresh milk as well as flavored milk drinks in chocolate, mango, and ube varieties. These flavored options provide a sweeter alternative for those who prefer a different taste from plain milk. The shop also carries frozen yogurt, a chilled dessert that retains the creamy base of carabao milk. All these products are made directly from carabao's milk and produced right at the Dairy Box facility.
Traditional Filipino Dairy Delights
Shoppers looking for classic dairy sweets will find pastillas, bite‑sized milk candies made from carabao milk, as well as white cheese, locally known as kesong puti. These traditional products are made onsite and offer a taste of local heritage. Cheese and pastillas round out the selection, giving customers a range of options for everyday consumption, pasalubong, or home cooking. The training provided to association members covered the production of yogurt, chocolate milk, fresh milk, cheese, and pastillas, ensuring that all items meet quality standards.
Carabao Milk as a Nutritious Local Alternative
Carabao milk is naturally higher in calcium and protein than cow milk, with a richer, creamier texture that makes it a standout ingredient. By offering these products directly to the public, Dairy Box makes it easier for Surigao residents to access nutritious local dairy while supporting the farmers who raise the animals. Local government officials have urged residents to buy from the Dairy Box, noting that patronizing these local products supports the association's efforts to sustain its livelihood project. For a city where fresh carabao milk was once hard to find, the shop provides a practical connection between farm and table.
