Sustainability Solutions Exchange: Towards greener practices in the local food industry

Transformative ideas took root at the Sustainability Solutions Exchange Conference, where entrepreneurs, policymakers, and advocates came together to pursue greener practices in the local food industry.

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, the conference was one of three main SSX components, alongside the Exhibition and the Pitching Sessions, held during the recent International Food Exhibition Philippines at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, Pasay City.

The conference, themed “Green Innovations: Navigating Sustainability Solutions to Future-Proof the Food Industry,” was held at the Philippine Trade Training Center, featuring panel sessions led by local and international experts under the Business and Consumer Tracks.

Sessions in the Business Track laid out challenges and opportunities for businesses pursuing sustainable innovation. 

During the session on green financing, Global Green Growth Institute’s Philippine Representative Marcel Silvius highlighted their support for Philippine micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through programs promoting agri-value chain enhancement, plastic circularity, and energy efficiency. 

International Finance Corporation Finance Institution Group Advisory Aditi Pandit cited the organization’s 30by30 Zero Program, which accelerates businesses’ transition to low-carbon, climate-smart agriculture. Development Bank of the Philippines Executive Vice President and Head of Development and Resiliency Sector George Inocencio outlined initiatives to build up existing environmental protection measures in the country.

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform Director General Pendatun Patarasa delivered a keynote presentation on climate-smart food systems. He proposed the adoption of global frameworks and strategies to achieve sustainable productivity, enhanced resiliency, and reduced emissions in the food industry. He was later joined by a panel featuring Spanish Red Cross Head of Delegation in the Philippines Maria Pressaco, CODESPA Country Manager Margaret Navarro, FarmYields Inc. Chief Farmer Carlomagno Aguilar, and Villa Socorro Farm Banana Chief Raymund Aaron to share their perspectives on his presentation.

Design Center of the Philippines Deputy Executive Director Lucky Lopez, Packaging Institute of the Philippines Vice President for External Affairs John Pestano, and AKO Packaging Managing Director Nikki Sevilla-Caampued sat as panelists for the session on sustainable packaging. The group advocated sustainable packaging development training for suppliers, pushing for strategies that ensure profitability while remaining sustainable.

Leaders of certification bodies led the session on maintaining compliance with environmental policies, presenting opportunities to access new markets and other benefits. Fairtrade Network of Asia and Pacific Producers Advocacy Manager for Asia and Pacific Natasha Siaron, Control Union Philippines Managing Director Tom van der Muelen, IDCP Halal Chairman Abdul Rahman Linzag, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau Assistant Director Mariglo Laririt attended the discussion.

The Consumer Track held concurrently engaged policymakers, local government units, non-government organizations, and advocates. Consumers’ compliance with environmental regulations, mindful consumption, food waste management, and the role of social enterprises in consumer education were the main points of discussion in these sessions. 

Surigao Mayor Alfredo Coro II and Pasig City Assistant City Administrator Atty. Diego Santiago led the session on consumers’ compliance with regulations, sharing initiatives to promote food safety, such as workshops on circular innovation for MSMEs.

Gulay Pa Co-founder Chef Laorence Castillo, Slow Food Manila President Chit Juan, and Cosmic Group Philippines Founder and Chief Executive Officer Dhanavantari Saulo tackled mindful consumption and sustainable diets. The group promoted urban farming to attain a resilient food economy and noted the slow food movement’s contributions to protecting biodiversity, as well as its active pursuit of “good, clean and fair food.”

Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines (SWAPP) President Dr. Marlon Era, LimdaDol Founder Peter Damary, ARK Solves Director of Impact and Operations Adrian Bonifacio, and Sagup Negros Chief Operating Officer Coleen Awit helmed the session on food waste management, calling attention to the impact of food waste and measures to promote responsible management within households and communities.

Bayan Family of Foundations Executive Director Hubert Cortes and Kids Who Farm Founder Moncini Hinay sat as panelists on the session regarding the role of social enterprises in pushing for sustainability, emphasizing the importance of engaging consumers in attaining a circular economy. 

The two-day conference drew close to 200 local and international delegates from government, the private sector, and the academe. By its conclusion, the conference had drawn for its community a starting point for change, providing Filipino entrepreneurs and advocates a framework in which innovation and circular economic practices can be applied and sustained.

Exhibition, pitching sessions open doors for MSMEs

The SSX Exhibition and Pitching Sessions yielded business opportunities for green entrepreneurs. 

The exhibition hosted 60 SSX exhibitors, including AA Global OPC, a producer of plant-based food products; EkoFuture, a maker of eco-friendly straws; and ARKA Inc., an agriculture platform, drawing strong buyer and consumer interest. Dulche Chocolates, Inc., RLGV Fruit Wines Industry, and Northern Roots SG Group Inc. recorded the most booked sales.

The following companies were featured in the European Union-Green Economy Program in the Philippines pavilion at IFEX Philippines: And Again Clothing; Everything Green Trading and Consulting; Hiblatech Ventures Inc.; Philippine Alliance for Sustainable Solutions Foundation Inc.; Vero Denim Bags; Rezbin Waste Technology Inc.; MNL-Automate Recyclable Materials Manufacturing; and CEP Traders Inc.

The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development supported CITEM during the pitching sessions, providing a dynamic space for innovative solutions to challenges in sustainability, agriculture, and retail. 

DOST-PCIEERD also showcased four startup companies specializing in decentralized circularity and bioplastic innovation, smart farming technologies, home-based entrepreneurship, and artificial intelligence. 

About CITEM

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is the export promotion arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). CITEM advances the country’s image as a premier sourcing destination for quality export products and services. It remains steadfast in setting the highest standards of creativity, excellence, and innovation to achieve competitiveness in the home, fashion, lifestyle, food, creative, sustainability, electronics, and health information management services sectors. CITEM is committed to developing, nurturing, and promoting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), brands, designers, and manufacturers by implementing an integrated approach to export marketing in partnership with other government and private entities. 

About the EU-Philippines Green Economy Partnership

Funded by a P3.67 billion (€60 million) grant from the European Union, the European Union-Philippine Green Economy Partnership will run from 2023 to 2028 in collaboration with the Government of the Philippines, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. This priority programme of the European Union in the Philippines links European and Filipino partners from the private sector and local governments to foster a circular economy and the reduction of plastic waste. It also aims to improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energy use and climate change mitigation, and adaptation. Through technology transfers and investments, the programme aims to accelerate the transition to a greener economy while sustaining economic growth that benefits all Filipinos.

Implemented by Germany’s development agency GIZ, the United Nations Development Programme, Expertise France with Global Green Growth Institute, and the International Finance Corporation—a member of the World Bank Group, the programme is part of EU’s Global Gateway initiative—the European strategy engaging with partners globally and promoting investments around shared priorities such as the transition to a green economy and the advancement of digital infrastructure, among others.

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Editor’s Note: This article was provided by CITEM.