Inauguration of Food Processing Plant
On June 10, we inaugurated the NVC Food Processing Center in the ancestral domain of the BOFAI group of farmers. The BOFAI community lives in a remote part of San Carlos, Negros Occidental in the Visayas. They supply some of the raw materials for NVC’s Mingo Meals.
The NVC Food Processing Center is earthquake resistant.
Support from Generous Supporters
Base Bahay Foundation Inc. supported by the Hilti Foundation built this structure using bamboo and cement. In July, Sunlife Foundation will turn over tools and equipment for the plant. Soon, experts will train the wives of the community to operate the plant.
Thank you to the generous sponsors who helped make this dream come true!
Thank you to the generous sponsors who helped make this dream come true!Upcoming Changes
BOFAI sends fresh produce to NVC’s Mingo Processing Plant in Bacolod. There, the vegetables are cleaned, dehydrated and pulverized. When the plant begins operations, such processes will be done at the farm. That way, vegetable scraps can be used as fertilizer and seeds can be saved for future use. Furthermore, sending vegetables in powder form will require fewer trips to Bacolod. In the long run, his will reduce transportation costs and lessen our carbon footprint. Most importantly, the farmers will earn more by supplying value-added products, instead of raw materials.
Above: The members of this Farmers of Hope Community supply some of the raw materials for NVC’s Mingo Meals.
More Hope for the Future
As of the moment, young members of the community usually leave the farm to work in the city as there are not many job opportunities in the area. In the future, we hope the plant will provide more work opportunities so that members of the community will not have to move away to find work.
From left to right: Millie Kilayko – President of NVC Foundation, Merco Obas – President of BOFAI, Maricen Jalandoni – Base Bahay President and Hilti Foundation Asia Liaison
