Brighter prospects for veggie noodles, says RFM
by SC Aro
La Trinidad, Benguet (28 July) -- The Benguet State University, which will be producing veggie noodles including some existing small veggie noodle processors of nearby regions, may soon have a niche market of their products aside from the Tindahan Natin Outlets.
With RFM as the marketing arm of the initial squash canton noodles under the Proud Harvest label, RFM representative Julius Rugas expressing optimism on the marketability of the product, encouraged the processors to think big as this would be an entry point for a good market
This he stressed provided they adhere to the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) such as isolation of production facilities, prevention of contamination, use of sanitizers and disinfectants among others in ensuring quality production.
Noodle production trials will still be undertaken by BSU and the small processors before considering the initial buying price set by RFM.
In a meeting o of the IAG Inter-Agency Group (IAG), created to assist in the acceleration of the project, together with small processors, other agreements drawn were the setting of GMP standards and the drafting of terms and conditions of RFM, BSU and small processors.
As can be recalled, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued a P10 million financial assistance in March 22, 2008 to the Benguet State University for the establishment of a Vegetable Processing Center which includes the production of veggie noodles.
With the idea of producing nutritious but affordable food alternative due to soaring prices of food, the veggie noodles produced under the project will be distributed through the TNOs.
BSU project focal person Dr. Violeta Salda said as agreed in one of the Inter-Agency Group meetings, BSU and small processors of veggie noodles will serve as toll packers of RFM Corporation initially for squash canton noodles while other vegetable highland vegetable variants such as carrots, spinach, amaranth, cabbage, broccoli, potatoes will follow. BSU will also be producing veggie meat and veggie bread, she added.
According to Salda, the Vegetable Processing Project and the Proud Harvest Squash Canton noodles will be launched in Malacanang on July 30, 2008 instead of at BSU as initially set. (PIA-Benguet) [top]
