Step into the air-conditioned expanse of SM Megamall’s Megatrade Halls 1-3 from April 9 to 13, 2025, and you’ll find a delightful marketplace of delicious foods and new products awaiting exploration and discovery. The 2025 DTI Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair brings together over 250 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), each showcasing the heart of Filipino cuisine. These entrepreneurs, drawn from every corner of the archipelago, offer a taste of tradition and a glimpse of innovation, inviting you to explore a culinary Philippines that’s as rich in heritage as it is bold in ambition.

See you at the fair! | Photo: DTI

The makers behind the flavors

The fair’s pulse is its MSMEs—over 250 food ventures representing the diversity of the Philippines. From Luzon’s hearty savories to Visayas’ seafood and Mindanao’s vibrant produce, these businesses bring farm-fresh produce, artisanal snacks, premium coffee, cacao, and health-focused foods to the table. You’ll find heirloom recipes, passed down through generations, displayed alongside daring new creations that push culinary boundaries. Each stall is a story—of families preserving their legacy, of young innovators tweaking tradition, of communities turning local harvests into global potential.

Assorted kakanin | Photo: DTI

These entrepreneurs are the soul of the fair. Picture a vendor offering handcrafted coconut jams from Quezon, or another presenting cacao nibs from Davao, each sharing the pride of their craft. They’re farmers, fishers, and bakers who’ve turned passion into enterprise, filling the halls with products that reflect both their roots and their resilience. The fair gives them a platform to connect with visitors, not just through food but through the stories behind every jar and basket.

Photo: DTI

A stage for innovation

They’re also are driving change. Many showcase eco-conscious packaging, a nod to sustainability that keeps their products fresh and the planet healthier. Others unveil plant-based alternatives or health foods tailored to modern tastes, like nutrient-packed snacks or low-sugar preserves. The fair also highlights cutting-edge food technologies—think new preservation methods or processing techniques—that signal their readiness for bigger markets. For these businesses, the event is a chance to test ideas and catch the eye of buyers, local and beyond.

Photo: DTI

A landmark moment is the launch of the DTI Bagong Pilipinas Marketplace, a B2B e-commerce platform connecting these MSMEs to global opportunities. It equips them with tools for e-commerce, digital marketing, streamlined logistics, and cashless payments—essentials for scaling up. For a coffee grower in the Cordilleras or a spice blender in Zamboanga, this platform could mean reaching customers halfway across the world.

The fair is organized in zones. The Fresh Produce Grand Marketplace brims with the season’s best—vibrant vegetables, fruits, and grains straight from the farms. At the KAPEtirya Philippine Coffee Pavilion are exceptional local brews. The KAINAN Dining Area transforms exhibitors’ ingredients into meals you can savor on the spot.

Photo: DTI

More than a tasting—the fair is an experience with live cooking demos, wine-pairing sessions, and business talks to provide insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. Cultural performances—music, dance, and more—infuse the halls with festive spirit.

Why it matters

For the 250 MSMEs, this Food Fair is a springboard that will help them meet new customers, spark partnerships, and gain the confidence to dream bigger. Every purchase—a bag of rice crackers, a bottle of chili oil—supports their livelihoods and the communities they represent. Visitors come for authentic flavors, unique gifts, or simply a day of discovery, but they leave with something more: a connection to the people shaping Filipino cuisine’s future.

Photo: DTI

The 2025 DTI Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair will run from April 9-13, 2025 at Megatrade Halls 1 to 3, Level 5, Mega B, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. For updates, follow Facebook: @BDTP or Instagram: @dti.bmdpo. For inquires, email BMDPO@dti.gov.ph. Aspiring entrepreneurs can contact their local DTI Office for future event details.