IN A bid to promote the emerging and existing products of Misamis Oriental, the Food Processors Association of Northern Mindanao (Fopanormin) will be kicking off its yearly project, Tinagbuan Food Festival, on August 2 to 4 at the Limketkai Rotunda in Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City.
Anchored on its theme "Fiesta Carnival, Celebrate Food for Life 'Where food, culture and people converge together to celebrate life in vibrant colors,'" Fopanormin aims to make this year's Tinagbuan larger and grander by creating a bigger public awareness in order to fully maximize the exposure of the local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially the new and emerging ones.
"This is a yearly celebration of our anniversary for Fopanormin. We normally do it in the form of trade exhibits showcasing our local brands. [The trade fair is] exclusively for the members of the association," said Nenita Tan, president of Fopanormin.
"Tinagbuan is more on pasalubong, one from destination to the other. Never leave Cagayan de Oro without Fopanormin products. Mao na siya ang Tinagbuan," Gina Malferari of Fopanormin added.
Tan said the event is timely as the month of August is the celebration of the Higalaay Festival. As such, the group will be promoting local flavors and crafts in a "carnival of flavors" theme.
A total of 30 exhibitors, who are also members of Fopanormin, will be displaying their products during the trade fair.
Apart from the exhibit, Malferari said there will food preparation demo, presentation of success stories from businessmen and carnival-themed games during the 3-day event.
Fopanormin will be celebrating its 19th anniversary on August 2.
Established in 2000, the association has been assisted by various government agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry for its promotional concern, the Department of Science and Technology for its innovation needs, the Department of Agriculture for its supply chain for raw materials sourcing, the Department of Labor and Employment for the organizational enhancement, and the Department of Tourism for its connection with the city's tourism needs for pasalubong.