Nestled in Pangasinan’s agricultural heartland, the Pangasinan State University–Department of Science and Technology Region 1 (PSU-DOST 1) Food Innovation Center (FIC) leads transformative efforts to empower local industries by bridging tradition and cutting-edge food technologies. Dedicated to its mission of elevating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the FIC helps them scale up sustainably while ensuring global food safety standards. This mission enhances local competitiveness and supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including poverty eradication and food security.
Driving Progress with Purpose
The FIC is more than just a center for research and technology; it operates as a driving force for economic empowerment. Its vision is ambitious—making MSMEs not only competitive locally but also globally recognized for their product safety and quality. This vision aligns with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), as the center provides crucial support for small businesses to increase their revenue, ensuring a sustainable source of income for local producers and contributing to poverty eradication.
One standout initiative is the DA-Veggie Project (initiated in 2021) funded by the Department of Agriculture. This project elevates humble vegetables in the region like eggplant, mung beans, squash, and lasona (native shallots) by transforming them into value-added products. Imagine seeing traditional crops turned into mung bean milk with mango flavor, squash pesto sauce, or cabinet-dried lasona—innovations that not only diversify the food options available to consumers but also provide a vital economic boost to local farmers. Through projects like this, the FIC ensures that small farmers benefit from innovative processes that directly impact SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
