Media practitioners and experts from the food industry were treated to sample the “Flavors of science” from the TechnoMart kitchen during a recent Technology to the People (T2P) activity of PCARRD held at the H2O Hotel, Manila Ocean Park.
T2P harnesses media in promoting the science and technology programs of the Council. TechnoMart, on the other hand, is responsible for bringing the products of research and development (R&D) from the lab to the market.
For the recently concluded T2P, dubbed as the “Flavors of science”, five products from the Council’s regional consortia were featured: frozen durian and low glycemic index coco sugar of the Southern Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium, pili oil of the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development, mango catsup and sauce of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium, and the Highland Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium’s strawberry preserve and spreads.
The aim of T2P is to bring the sources of agro-based business to the marketplace and reach the consumers through media advocacy and consultation with the industry players. As such, a demonstration on the use of the five food products in food preparations was conducted. Guests were served pizza and spaghetti in mango sauce and ketchup, vegetable salad with pili oil, strawberry tart, and frozen durian. After the taste test, guests were provided with a consumer satisfaction survey where they could write in their comments and suggestions to derive the information needed to improve the products and their acceptability in the market.
Media partners present during the event were correspondents of Diaryong Tagalog, DZXL, GMA TV News, Manila Newsweek, Mag-Agri Tayo of NBN Channel 4, Cook Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Business Mirror, Nutriganics, Greenfields, Manila Bulletin, UNTV, and Remate Online.
From the food industry, the Yellow Cab R&D team, and representatives from the Market Encounter Goes to Manila and Philippine Food Processors and Exporters, Inc. were in attendance.