Opportunities

We can hardly keep up with how many times the cost of electricity and oil have gone up. In shock most of our waking hours, the majority of us are silent sufferers who can do nothing but meet higher bills, strive to extend the peso and most of the time refrain from the small luxuries we could afford in better days. But let’s not be defeated and look at opportunities that can give us that extra buck.

Food is a basic necessity and offers potential for entrepreneurs. Food fairs, held regularly at the World Trade Center, are venues for those who want to start a business, small scale or bigger ventures, meaning investments ranging from a few thousand pesos to millions.

The most recent Asia Food Expo 2004 opened the eyes of aspiring business persons. Initially, one can start by being a small distributor, catering to neighbors, progressing to having a kart in a mall, opening a store, coffee house or even a restaurant, getting into franchising and/or manufacturing their own products. Alternatively, buy ingredients by bulk to make one’s own food products or cooked meals and other delicacies.

Here are some possibilities. Cooking aids like olive oil (Doña Elena and Pietro Coricelli), sauces (Good Life) and canned food elements (Jolly) are distributed by Fly Ace in Binondo, Manila, tel. 245-5126. Recently we noticed that barbecue stands in tiangges are making good money. Get some of Clara Ole’s barbecue marinades (original and spicy) and put up your small outlet. Sysu International, tel 920-5291,carries Lee Kum Kee products, our favorite being Roasted Garlic teriyaki sauce which is tasty for grilled meat and seafood. A new line is CiCi Fruit juices and jellies from China retailing at Watson’s and Mini Stop stores. From KSK Food Products is a collection of corn snacks–Boy Bawang, Bida, Love, Cowboy and Boy Corn. The company is based in Caloocan, tel. 983-9926.

Rdex South Sea Fishing Venture Phils. Inc. is in General Santos, South Cotabato, tel. (63-83) 380-7305. It has an extensive offering of seafood, among which are tiger prawns at P320 a kilo and ready-to-fry tuna squares, mahi-mahi and the rare bonito at the surprisingly low price of P25 a kilo.

There are lots of food-to-go. Plato Wraps from Dagupan, Pangasinan, sells taco-type flat pockets with different fillings including Chunky Chicken,Yummy Tuna and Very Veggie at P30 each. Liberty Food Mart and Smokepoint from Tondo sell what they call "real food for people on the go" like baskets of siopao, sandwiches, pasta, rice toppings and food trays of pancit, fried chicken. Spencer Food Corp. (Barrio Kapitolyo, Pasig, tel. 687-4432) with three brands–Zagu, Chik n Run and Mantou–open to franchising has stuffed bread sticks, chicken burgers and chunks.

Look up Actron’s F/S (food service) Exchange, tel. 844-3041, which provides products used in food production such as bulk butter, mozzarella, cream, emmenthal and even the rare pecorino cheese. They also distribute Belgian Callebaut premium chocolate for décor and flavor. Actron’s equipment division offers mixers, ovens, showcases and ice makers. Allegro Beverage Corp., tel. 817-1074 distributes beverage tools such as Italian expresso machines with Danesi blend, brewers and juice dispensers.They install, service and repair and provide espresso training.

Processed food are among the faster-moving products. Citra Mina’s head office is in General Santos City as well, but it has outlets in Cebu, Davao and Metro Manila. Tuna is their specialty, so in their line are ham, nuggets, flakes, burger, embotido, and tempura. Asia Pacific Tuna Canning Corp. (tel. 635-0123) has two brands, Dolly and Diana, claimed to be ready to serve without sautéing. The products are now available in many outlets.

There they are, waiting for those who want to go into small or big business. Good luck!

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