12/05/2026
๐๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ-๐๐ผ-๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด: ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ง ๐๐๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ
In the food processing industry, efficiency is measured not only by how much a company produces, but by how well it adapts to changing demands, rising production costs, and the need for consistent product quality. For GH Foods, Incorporated (GHFI), innovation has become a necessary ingredient in sustaining growth.
Based in Brgy. Blumentritt, Murcia, Negros Occidental, GHFI has steadily transformed from a traditional agricultural enterprise into a modern food manufacturing company producing a diverse line of processed food products for the local and export market. Through the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) Innovation-Enabling Fund (iFund), the company continues to expand its operations under the project, โProcess and System Improvement for Sweet Preserves Production.โ
The companyโs story began in 1975 as More Foods Inc., initially operating as a cucumber and vegetable plantation supplying export markets in Japan. As market opportunities evolved, the enterprise transitioned into RM Farmers and later PRISM Foods, gradually venturing into food processing through products such as pickled cucumbers and canned goods. In 1993, GH Foods, Incorporated was formally established, carrying forward decades of agricultural and processing experience into a more integrated farm-to-food operation.
Today, GHFI manufactures a broad portfolio of products under the GREEN HARVEST brand, including pickled cucumbers, nata de coco, sweet kaong, processed seafood, and meat products. Beyond manufacturing, the company maintains contract-growing arrangements with farmers in Negros Island and Mindanao for cucumbers and sweet palm fruit, creating a production chain that directly links agricultural communities to value-added food processing.
The company operates with a clear strategic direction anchored on delivering safe, high-quality, and affordable food products while striving to be a trusted provider of everyday Filipino food solutions. It upholds principles of quality, integrity, teamwork, and trust, while promoting continuous improvement, customer satisfaction, employee development, and sustainable business growth.
To support these goals, DOST provided technological interventions through a 3-phase SETUP iFund assistance program designed to address critical production bottlenecks and improve manufacturing productivity.
The first phase, approved in July 2012 and implemented in December 2012, involved the acquisition of a biomass-fired steam boiler to replace the companyโs dependence on bunker fuel. This intervention improved production reliability and reduced energy costs.
The second phase, approved in June 2019 and implemented in December 2019, focused on upgrading the companyโs production facility through the acquisition of an Automatic Filling Machine, resulting in enhanced packaging efficiency and product consistency for pouched products.
To further streamline bottling operations, the third phase of the project, approved in June 2025, is currently under implementation. The intervention focuses on process and system improvement for sweet preserves production, particularly for nata de coco, kaong, and pickled cucumber bottling lines. The project integrates three bottling units into a high-efficiency filling and capping assembly line designed to optimize product flow, reduce manual intervention, and improve overall plant productivity.
The installation of a 50-hp biomass-fired steam boiler likewise introduced an integrated automation system for fuel feeding, feedwater supply, and ash discharge. This upgrade improved combustion efficiency and operational control which reduces rice hull consumption from 130 bags to 70 bags per production cycle, thereby enhancing overall energy efficiency and sustainability. The boiler system produces approximately 800 kilograms of steam per hour at 150 psig (10 Kg/cmยฒ), which provides a stable thermal energy essential in food processing operations such as cooking, sterilization, and bottling.
Complementing these equipment upgrades, GHFI also received technical consultancy services under the DOST Manufacturing Productivity Extension (MPEX) Program and food safety consultancy initiatives. These interventions supported the company in improving production systems, operational standards, and process management practices aligned with industry requirements.
The impact of these technology interventions has been measurable. Within one year of implementation, GHFI recorded a 34 % increase in production volume and a 3% growth in sales. Employment likewise expanded from 45 workers in 2011 to 70 personnel at present, reflecting increased production capacity and the companyโs continued contribution to local livelihood generation.
More importantly, the technological initiatives enabled GHFI to strengthen its competitiveness in the food processing sector while adopting more energy-efficient and sustainable manufacturing systems. From farm sourcing to automated bottling operations, the companyโs transition demonstrates how science, technology, and innovation can help local enterprises scale operations while maintaining product quality and operational sustainability.
The continued support extended to GH Foods emphasizes DOSTโs commitment to enabling micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt appropriate technologies, improve productivity, and strengthen their role in regional economic development and food manufacturing competitiveness.
