The 2021 Hybrid National Food Fair successfully completed its year-long program to assist Filipino MSMEs engaged in the food industry with a physical event held at the Festival Mall in Alabang, last 15-24 October 2021. This face-to-face selling event is part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) initiatives to support the reopening of the economy.

In a simple program last 20 October 2021, DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez noted in his keynote address, delivered by Usec. Blesila Lantayona of the Regional Operations Group (ROG), that: “The food industry has proven to be one of the most dynamic and resurgent through these past 18 months. The ability of food entrepreneurs to quickly pivot to the online marketplace and provide a valuable service to their communities is nothing short of heroic.”

Sixty-four (64) MSMEs participated in the physical component of the National Food Fair. A PINASarap Food Hub showcased the products of participating exhibitors along with a QR Code that provides information about their company name and booth location. At the same time, MSMEs who could not be physically present at the event venue were also featured in the virtual hub with their QR Codes linking to their online store and Facebook business page.

The 10-day physical event of the 2021 Hybrid National Food Fair generated some PHP13.6-million in revenues for the participating exhibitors. Some of the best-selling products were banana chips, virgin coconut oil and other coconut-based products, fresh seafoods, healthy lemon grass drink, and kitchen decors and handicrafts. The top performing exhibitors were: Bahaghari Global Food, Inc., Gold in Grass, CocoPlus Development Corporation, Cerra Furniture and Home Décor, and Gloria’s Delicacies.

In his inspirational message, Usec. Abdulgani M. Macatoman of the DTI-Trade Promotions Group summarized the year-long program of the 2021 Hybrid National Food Fair, which included online webinars to facilitate the digital transformation of MSMEs, online food fairs in partnership with e-commerce platforms Shopee and Lazada as well as farm-to-table website mayani.ph, and the National Food Fair Digital Mall on UnionBank GlobalLinker.

“Through the year-long activities under the 2021 Hybrid National Food Fair, we hope that we have fulfilled our mission to broaden the exposure of our food entrepreneurs and introduce their products not just domestically, but possibly even beyond our borders to reach customers abroad,” concludes Usec. Macatoman.

The 2021 Hybrid National Food Fair was organized by the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion in collaboration with the DTI-Regional Operations Group. Through the National Food Fair Digital Mall, foodies can continue to enjoy the regional delicacies and other culinary products by shopping online on https://nff.linker.store.

For more information, please follow the social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You may also email Director Marievic M. Bonoan at bdtp@dti.gov.ph. ♦

Date of Release: 2 November 2021

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