Don’t look now but Pampanga’s leading food maker is laying a foothold in the US, particularly in the West Coast.
Mekeni Food Corporation (Mekeni) has penetrated the US market, making a huge impact in the packed street food segment since sending its first shipment only this January.
But it is not just about entering the US market and making brisk sales.
“We want to inspire every Filipino. As a former OFW myself, seeing products from the Philippines makes you proud and bring you closer to home. It takes away that homesick feeling,” Pruds Garcia, Mekeni president and CEO, said.
“We are glad that Mekeni, in a way, brings them home,” Garcia said as tens of thousands of Filipino families have not gone back to the Philippines due to the global pandemic
Its fish balls and kikiam (also known as fish rolls) are one of the bestselling products in Filipino and Asian stores. Originally planned to enter the US market in 2020, the delay due to the pandemic is considered a “blessing in disguise”, adds Garcia.
In fact, Island Pacific, a Fil-Am grocery chain established 22 years ago – has carried them in all its branches where Pinoys abound.
Marilou Uy, Mekeni manager for Exports, said that the chain has 17 stores in northern and southern California and in Silverado, Nellis, and Tropicana districts of Las Vegas, Nevada.
“We are so glad at how Mekeni products are being patronized now. We hope to be able to sell our regular products to our Kababayans in the US such as the Picnic hotdogs, the tocinos and longganisas eventually,” Uy said.
In its FB account, Island Pacific posted: “They (Mekeni) deliver the best-tasting and most authentic Flat Fish Ball and Kikiam in the market! Mekeni Fishball and Kikiam are 100% made in the Province of Pampanga and have been the most dominant street food brand in the market.
These Mekeni food products can be bought at Island Pacific Stores in Hayward, Long Beach, Temecula, Santa Clarita, Cerritos, Elk Grove, Pittsburgh, Vallejo, Union City, Fresno, National City, Oxnard, Canoga Park, West Covina, all in California as well as in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Bayani Line
The management of Mekeni did not let the COVID-19 pandemic affect their operations. They remained committed not just to delivering quality brand but also to the local community and their employees.
In fact, Mekeni is one of the very few companies that even hired workers instead of laying them off during the height of lockdown periods imposed by the government.
“We rise by helping others,” says Garcia.
For its local market, Mekeni tapped local small entrepreneurs to supply them with various food products. The company helped them package and sell the local traders’ goods with added value known of the Mekeni brand.
Just like when Mr. Pinatubo erupted with its subsequent lahar flows that entombed most parts of Porac town where the company was just then a backyard business, Mekeni took the challenge head-on.
The Garcia family just knew how to motivate workers and show true grit with their resiliency that permeated in the community.
Falter, they did not. From facing one challenge to another. From natural disaster to global financial and medical crises.
One very recent FB comment on the acts of kindness by the Garcias reads: “Wow. Congrats Mekeni family Garcia kasi kayo very humble maliit pa ako kilala ko na kayo at sa nabalitaan ko sa taga Balubad ka Baryo natin di kayo nag sawa tumulong kaya iyan products ng Mekeni kahit saan bansa mabili dami pinoy natangkilik po.. masasarap products.. Proud Mekeni” (Lerma Tadeo Lacson from Tanza, Cavite)
The fish balls and kikiam are actually part of the so-called “Bayani Line” that, in the Philippine market, also include hotdog balls, squid balls, siomai, siopao and more.
Patronized and Anticipated
With the Mekeni fish balls and kikiam slowly gaining a huge market share in the US West Coast, Fil-Ams cannot help but take to social media their satisfaction and even anticipation.
“Our ultimate objective is not just to bring the products to the US but to inspire people,” Garcia said.
Those who managed to get their hands on Mekeni products already have but feel closer to home and relive Filipino way of living (read: snacking)
In FB comments to a post by Ciara Garcia-Bermudo, one Edith Mercado said: “Wow masarap iyan malapit lang sa amin ang Mekeni sa Pulong Santol, Porac Pampanga. But now I’m here in Las Vegas, ang masarap pa iyong mga hotdog, lagi akong bumibili ng bundle nyan.”
There is also this feeling of envy from Pinoys living outside California or Las Vegas as they hope to have the Mekeni products soon in their area.
Jessa Cuellar Cunningham commented: “Hopefully Washington state as well. I miss Mekeni products.”
Lalaine Bungay Villanueva: “Sana pati kening DC,MD (Maryland), & VA (Virginia) AREA PLEASE”
Comments like this were also echoed in Hawaii, Texas, New Jersey and various parts of the USA and even Canada.
Already, sample products have been shipped to Guam this week, marking Mekeni’s commitment to help bring Pinoy home foods to Fil-Ams in various parts of the US. (Photos from FB pages of Island Pacific, Ciara Garcia-Bermudo, Gail Larracas, Precy Biacan, Christine Santos-Poblete, Mekeni Food Corp.)
