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| (Image Source: Dot Daily Dose/Mekeni Food Corporation) |
Mekeni Food Corporation, one of the largest food manufacturing companies in the country, has laid its foothold in the US market by bringing its packed street food products to the West Coast this January. “If there is one thing that Filipinos living abroad miss a lot, it is probably their favorite street food. Through our partnership with Island Pacific Supermarket, one of the biggest Asian/Filipino supermarkets in the West Coast, we are bringing them not just authentic Pinoy flavors, but also the feeling that they are closer to home through our products,” said Mekeni President Prudencio S. Garcia.
Mekeni Kikiam and Fish Balls are available in 17 branches of Island Pacific Supermarket across California and Nevada. According to Garcia, this is just the start for Mekeni as they are looking into making their products available in other parts of the US. “The past two years has been challenging. What inspired us, however, to push forward with this is our desire to showcase what Timplang Atin is like to the rest of the world. We want to give them access to quality and taste that Mekeni can bring,” said Garcia. Aside from kikiam and fish balls, Mekeni is also eyeing to bring their flagship products such as tocino, gluten-free chicken longanisa, and hotdog to the US.
Before the US, Mekeni has maintained its supply of food products to existing international markets such as Dubai, Bahrain, Brunei, Australia, Canada, and UK. Mekeni is also the first Filipino food company allowed by the Japanese government to export products to the country. Garcia noted that by expanding their market, they also get to uplift the lives of their communities that are depending on them. “We have always been committed to helping our communities through generating jobs and creating product lines that can sustain their income. Bringing our products to the US could mean expanding our operations and employing more people across the supply chain amid the pandemic,” Garcia closed.
Locally, Mekeni also exclusively manufactures Bayani, a street food line for entrepreneurs. Its product range includes Filipino snack favorites such as siomai, siopao, squid balls, fish balls, chicken balls, and kikiam. For over 30 years, the Pampanga-based food manufacturing company has been known for its manufacturing capabilities recognized worldwide. Mekeni is the first in Asia and the second in the world overall to receive the certificate of compliance to ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System standard.
