Guiding food entrepreneurs toward success
On Feb. 5, 2025, Philstar Media Group (PMG), in partnership with Mercato Centrale Group, held the Spark Up, Scale Up Food Workshop, via Zoom.
The initiative aimed to equip merchants with essential information about starting and running a food business, especially the technicalities and intricacies that come with it. This was also arranged in relation to the NakakaLocal food fest, which will take place from Feb. 28 to March 2, 2025, at Blue Bay Walk, MET Park, Pasay City.
The program covered topics designed to equip food entrepreneurs with skills for starting, growing, and prospering in the business industry.
Food safety
Yvan Alex Milasky, operations manager at Mercato Centrale, opened the workshop by discussing the importance of basic food safety. He tackled key concepts such as food hazards, FATTOM (food, acidity, time, temperature, oxygen, moisture), and the do’s and don’ts of maintaining food quality, including item receiving, storage, preparation, cooking, and handling.
“Food is not just an easy job. It includes responsibility to your customers,” Milasky said as a reminder to the participants.
Permits and compliance
Milasky also presented guides in procuring necessary business permits and papers for budding entrepreneurs.
During the discussion, he highlighted the difference between licenses and permits, the importance of registering businesses with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the advantages of joining Mercato Centrale.
Finance management
Daniel Aguilar, general manager at Mercato Centrale, then discussed ways to manage finance in relation to operations, sales, and profit. He discussed topics such as positioning, demographics, and market location.
He zeroed in on the fundamentals of results-driven forecasting. Aguilar enumerated the basic preparations entrepreneurs should take note of and then followed up with the financial particulars, such as important terminologies and indicators. He also discussed the key points in selling, wherein he highlighted the five Ps: product, place, price, people, and promotion.
Aguilar also elucidated how to effectively run promos for businesses to garner more customers. To cap off his discussion, he highlighted the role of sustainability as a key point in selling.
Toward the end of the program, the participants went to breakout rooms to share their insights and brainstorm fresh ideas for their businesses. The discussions revolved around two topics: brand promise and reinventing on a limited budget.
The participants had a fruitful discussion in the breakout rooms. Some experienced participants shared the wisdom they’ve gained in running their businesses–helping those who have just started their ventures. Thanks to the session, the merchants connected, leading to paths for possible collaborations in the future.
During the giveaway games between the talks, participants who answered questions quickly and correctly received P200 worth of Mercato Centrale vouchers.
