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News & Updates

DTI Backs Product Development for ACRE Pine Bites

July 10, 2026 — Daet, Camarines Norte

The Agripreneurs of Camarines Norte for Rural Enhancement Agriculture Cooperative (ACRE) is advancing the development of its Pine Bites product line with support from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Camarines Norte, guided by the technical expertise of a professional Food Technologist.

About the Initiative
ACRE Pine Bites, coop's pineapple-based product, is undergoing improvements in formulation, food safety, and production processes under the DTI Initiative. The goal is to refine the product's quality, consistency, and shelf life while preparing it for broader markets.

Why It Matters
This development effort supports the cooperative by:

  • Improving product quality and consistency through standardized processing

  • Extending shelf life and enhancing packaging for market readiness

  • Creating new sales opportunities, both locally and internationally

  • Increasing farmer income through higher-value, market-ready products

Expert Guidance
A qualified Food Technologist is working directly with ACRE to ensure Pine Bites meets food safety and quality standards — a collaboration made possible through DTI's ongoing support for cooperative-led innovation.

Looking Ahead
This initiative reflects ACRE's commitment to turning the local farmers' harvest into a competitive, market-ready product. Updates on Pine Bites' development and rollout will follow as the program progresses.

Photo courtesy of  DTI Camarines Norte
Photo courtesy of  DTI Camarines Norte
ACRE Places 3rd at the Pinya Delights Challenge

ACRE Cooperative earned 3rd Place at the Pinya Delights Challenge: Pasalubong Products Edition, held on June 19, 2026, at SM City Daet Active Hub — part of the 33rd Pinyasan Festival organized by DTI-Camarines Norte and the LGU of Daet.

ACRE Pine Bites reflected the cooperative's dedication to product innovation and locally sourced ingredients rooted in Camarines Norte, competing among ten MSMEs from across the province.

Results

  • 🥇 Chewy Chunks — Northills College of Asia, Inc.

  • 🥈 Tsoko Formosa — Jireh Food Products

  • 🥉 ACRE Pine Bites — ACRE Cooperative

This recognition is a proud milestone for ACRE as it continues to bring quality, community-driven products to the forefront of Camarines Norte's growing agri-food industry.

ACRE at the CFIDP Technology Updates 2026

Members of ACRE Cooperative joined the CFIDP Technology Updates 2026, held on June 22, 2026, in Camarines Norte — organized by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Bicol in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

The event brought together coconut farmers from across the province to explore modern technologies and value-adding opportunities in the coconut industry. Topics covered included Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) and its by-products, coco sugar production, trimmed fresh young coconut, innovative coconut-based food products, and good quality copra production and post-harvest practices.

For ACRE, participation in this event reflects the cooperative's commitment to continuous learning and exploring new opportunities that can strengthen its members' livelihoods and expand its product offerings rooted in Camarines Norte's agricultural resources.

Photo courtesy of ATI Bicol

ACRE Attends Orientation on FCPAMS Guidelines

ACRE Cooperative joined the Orientation on the Guidelines on the Establishment of the Financial Consumer Protection Assistance Management System (FCPAMS) on June 22, 2026, in Daet, Camarines Norte, spearheaded by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), MCO Daet, and the LGU of Daet.

The orientation guided CDA-regulated entities on the mandatory requirements for establishing an FCPAMS — covering financial consumer protection, complaint handling procedures, and the creation of a Consumer Assistance Team (CAT) to address member concerns with transparency and accountability.

ACRE's participation underscores the cooperative's commitment to upholding fair and responsible financial practices in service of its members.

ACRE Strengthens Food Safety Standards through cGMP Training

ACRE Cooperative participated in the Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) Training conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry – Camarines Norte Provincial Office (DTI-CNPO) on June 23, 2026, in Daet, Camarines Norte.

The training covered essential food safety standards, legal mandates, and proper manufacturing practices — equipping manufacturers with the knowledge to produce clean, safe, and unadulterated products that meet regulatory requirements.

For ACRE, this training is a meaningful step toward strengthening the quality and safety of its food products, ensuring that every item bearing the ACRE name upholds the highest standards from production to packaging.