By Kesha Shua V. Leosala, DOST-STII
Photos from Rosemarie Señora, DOST-STII
Bestfriend Goodies sample products during the project presentation in Brgy. Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City
The pandemic prompted this former souvenir products maker's transition into nutritious ready-to-eat (RTE) meals used in feeding programs and as emergency sustenance during a disaster through technology adoption offered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The Bestfriend Goodies of Cagayan De Oro thrives as it made a successful shift and invested in Ready-to-Eat Nutritious Packed Food developed and assisted by a multitude of government collaborators such as the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI), University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines-Northern Mindanao Food Innovation Center (USTP-NMFIC) and DOST-Technology Application and Promotion Institute’s (DOST-TAPI) Venture Financing Program.
Among the DOST interventions were water retort technology that extends food shelf life through sterilization, stainless steel table assembly, aerating band sealer, octagonal mixer, handheld refractometer, stainless slicer/vegetable cutter, and stainless steel strainer.
As a result, a 172% increase in employment, a 199% rise in production volume, a 142% hike in productivity,and about 90% growth in sales.
Bestfriend Goodies’ Core
The woman-led enterprise, envisioned this to be globally recognized as a premier manufacturer of supplementary and complementary foods from locally sourced and sustainably produced raw materials addressing malnutrition while contributing to the region’s food security.
Ms. Nenita Tan, owner of Bestfriend Goodies envisioned this to be globally recognized as a premier manufacturer of sustainable supplementary and complementary foods.
Officially branded in 2014, the business had nurtured a sustainable ecosystem. The Bestfriend Goodies partners with different stakeholders in realizing its vision and in contributing to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Building partnerships, Bestfriend Goodies has tapped its immediate community, Brgy. Canitoan generates human resources and establishes a community-based enterprise where they source their raw materials. They also work with state universities and agencies such as DOST for continuous capacity building and research and development assistance for improved processes and technology adoption.
“Si Bestfriend Goodies hindi siya mabubuhay kung wala kaming bini-build na partnerships,” shared by Mr. Bronson Mabulay during the project presentation. (“Bestfriend Goodies resilience is built on building partnerships.”)
Meanwhile, its major clients are government agencies such as the Department of Education, Local Government Units, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to take part in the fulfillment primarily of SDGs 2, and 5 or the Zero Hunger and Gender Equality.
Mr. Bronson Mabulay presented Bestfriend Goodies’ market and products during the project presentation.
Bestfriend Goodies has been receiving recognition and grants from different organizations including DOST. Its products such as RTEs, pasalubong, the enhanced nutribun (eNutribun), and other baked goodies can also be ordered online.
In celebration of the 2024 National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) in Cagayan de Oro City, Bestfriend Goodies was one of the featured cooperators to showcase the various success stories that were made possible through the interventions of science, technology, and innovations to the micro, small, medium enterprises held on November 27, 2024.
