The Department of Trade and Industry - Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (DTI-BDTP) is set to launch the 2017 series of Sikat Pinoy national domestic trade fairs with the upcoming Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair, scheduled from March 15-19 at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
With support from the DTI Regional and Provincial Offices, food entrepreneurs from the regions will be showcasing their regional delicacies, organic products, and fresh produce to reach the wider domestic market.
Over 200 small and medium enterprises from all over the country have been carefully screened to ensure that they meet the stringent standards set by the DTI-BDTP, in keeping with the theme, “Piling-Piling Pagkaing Pilipino.”
As in previous years, the Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair will highlight certain sectors. For this year, the special settings will include:
(a) an organic products and hydroponics garden;
(b) a halal-certified products pavilion of the Bicol region; and
(c) a showcase of Zamboanga Peninsula’s selected products.
Now on its fifth year, the Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair is a much-awaited event for foodies missing the comfort food that they grew up with, as well as those with more adventuresome taste buds looking for new twists to traditional Pinoy dishes. Exhibitors will be offering regional delicacies, processed meats, wines and beverages, ready-to-eat bottled food, chocolates and snack foods, spices and condiments, jams and spreads, health supplements, kitchen basics, processed meats, as well as fresh produce like organic fruits and vegetables as well as fish and other marine products.
The five-day fair is both a retail and order-taking event, so institutional buyers and traders are also invited to discover up-and-coming food SMEs for new offerings for supermarket shelves. Corporate consumers like hotels and restaurants will have the opportunity to meet new producers and negotiate with existing suppliers.
The food fair will also be packed with learning opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to learn more about the food business, as well as ordinary homemakers who just want to upgrade their culinary skills. Lectures and cooking demonstrations are scheduled everyday.
According to DTI-BDTP Director Rhodora M. Leaño, “Every year, we see improvements in the submissions from participating exhibitors, in terms of product quality as well as proper packaging and labeling. Through their exposure in the Sikat Pinoy National Food Fair, our SMEs from the regions are upgrading their standards to be more competitive not just for domestic buyers but for the global market as well.”
Fair hours are from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 7513223 or email bdtp@dti.gov.ph.
