CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — Bestfriend Goodies, a leading food innovation company here, marked a significant milestone at the 2024 National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) by launching a new line of ready-to-eat meals. These innovative products cater to the increasing demand for portable and nutritious food solutions for busy professionals, on-the-go individuals, and those in uniformed services.
Bestfriend Goodies Chief Executive Officer Nenita A. Tan said the company has a history of supporting national nutrition efforts, particularly in addressing child malnutrition.
“From 2020 to 2023, we embarked on the first phase of our journey by entering the ready-to-eat market with the enhanced “nutribun” partnering with DepEd school-based feeding program. This effort not only gained recognition but also elevated ready-to-eat products as a key component of the national feeding program, setting a benchmark in the food manufacturing industry,” she stated.
Tan said Bestfriend Goodies’ latest offerings are designed for everyday professional use and emergencies. The meals are lightweight and durable, making them ideal for distribution by land, sea, or air. With the Philippines ranking high in disaster vulnerability, she said these products are also a vital solution for providing immediate nourishment in times of crisis.
Healthier, Convenient Meals
Bestfriend Goodies Food Scientist Jude Andrea Eve Maternal explained that as the company gained a deeper understanding of market needs, it identified opportunities to expand its product offerings. This led to the creation of the “Nutri Goodies” line which includes Chicken Afritada, Chicken Adobo, White Rice, Chayote Oatmeal Cookies, Nutri Cookies, and Rice Mongo Curls.
“These are designed to be a convenient and nutritious solution for feeding programs, disaster response, and on-the-go meals for hard-working men and women in uniform, among others,” she added.
Improved Operational Efficiency Through Technology
Bestfriend Goodies continues to invest in technology to enhance operational efficiency. The company has adopted automation and data digitization to streamline production processes, ensuring higher productivity and consistent product quality.
Engr. Bronson Mabulay, Data and System Engineer at Bestfriend Goodies, said the digitization gives them access to real-time operational data and analytics that optimize their production planning while consistently delivering products to their customers on time.
“Digitization leads us to operational accuracy and overall business efficiency which boosts the company’s profitability,” he said.
Bestfriend Goodies received several key interventions from the DOST, including water retort technology that enhances food shelf life through sterilization, a stainless steel table assembly, an aerating band sealer, an octagonal mixer, a handheld refractometer, a stainless slicer/vegetable cutter, and a stainless steel strainer.
These valuable contributions were provided by DOST’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), Technology Application and Promotion Institute’s (TAPI) Venture Financing Program, and the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines-Northern Mindanao Food Innovation Center (USTP-NMFIC). (APB/PIA-10)
