29 January 2014 – The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, led by Consul General Ma. Hellen Barber De La Vega, welcomes the launch of premium Philippine Food Products with a press conference and reception held at the Rizal Hall of the Consulate General on January 22.

The premium food mission participated in the 2014 Winter Fancy Food exposition held in San Francisco and was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry- Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM), led by CITEM Deputy Executive Director Maria Lourdes Mediran, and joined by Philippine food manufacturers and exporters of specialty food identified under the DTI’s Design for Exports (DEFood) program.  Participating companies are Herbanext Laboratories, Inc. JNRM Corporation, Malagos Agri-Venture Corporation and Raw Brown Sugar Milling Co. Inc.

At the press conference, Philippine Trade Representative in Los Angeles Jose Ma. S. Dinsay made a PowerPoint presentation on promoting Philippine Specialty Food in the United States. With an official food brand of Food Philippines,  the DTI, through its international trade offices and CITEM, aims to promote Philippine food products that are natural, organic and strong in Filipino heritage.  Ms. Mediran noted that their trip to California marks the return of Philippine food exports in Food Expositions and Markets, this time offering premium, high-quality products geared towards the mainstream market with discerning customer base.

The members of the Food Mission had a day of successful Business Matching with US based companies at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on January 24.  This event provided opportunities for the Philippine companies and resulted in establishing new contacts and agreements in marketing their products for distribution and sale in the United States. END