November 7, 2023 – the last batch of the Demo Projects have been approved unanimously by the Global Partnership for Improving the Food Cold Chain the Philippines (FCC) Project Steering Committee in its most recent meeting. Here’s a preview of the grantees and the soon-to-be installed technologies:
One of the grantees is Ideamorphosis Inc., a refrigerated trucking business based in Cavite. Ideamorphosis currently has 35 units in its fleet which use R404A and eutectic plates that transport produce all over Luzon. Transport refrigeration services significantly prevent food loss by providing solutions for last mile deliveries. Through the FCC Project, it will soon add three (3) PBX R290 Refrigerated Trucks in its fleet. The R290 cooling module is highly efficient, with low pressure and a low maintenance system adapted for future electrification of vehicles. While the R290 system comes from Europe, the refrigerated container is made in the in Philippines.
Rise Against Hunger Philippines, Inc. (RAHP), a non-profit organization that distributes food and aid to vulnerable communities around the country, will receive Embraco R290 Chiller and Freezer Cold Storages for its Laguna and Nueva Vizcaya operations. The equipment will support the organization’s foodbank at the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal where rejected vegetables will be bartered for shelf-stable grocery items to help compensate farmers as well as provide them with alternative food sources. This is in response to avoiding food losses at sources, pegged at as much as 50% of farmers’ produce in these areas, and providing nutritious food to vulnerable communities.
The League of Municipalities of the Philippines, a non-profit organizations supporting municipalities in the country, will be provided with 15 units of the Vestfrost Solar-Powered Freezer to support initiatives that will prolong the shelf life of perishable items and preserving the quality of locally produced foods. The equipment will be piloted in the municipalities of Barcelona (Sorsogon), La Paz (Abra) and Daanbayan (Cebu) and expected to be replicated in other municipalities nationwide. Batangas Organic and Natural Farming Agriculture Cooperative will also receive ten (10) units of Vestfrost Solar-Powered Freezers which will help preserve the fruits and livestock of smallholder farmers in San Jose, Batangas.
The four demonstrations are expected to generate business models on the viability of natural refrigerant technologies for the cold chain, alongside its expected economic, social and environmental benefits. This is the last batch of demonstration projects approved under the FCC Project which is expected to be completed within the year.
National Policy and Regulations Coordinator
Global Partnership for Food Cold Chain in the Philippines Project