A team of Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship students from Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) emerged as the Provincial Champion in the Young Farmers Challenge (YFC) 2026 Startup Category on July 1, 2026, after impressing the judges with their innovative ready-to-cook vegetable-based product, Veggie Balls.

The winning team, Green Bites, is composed of Raphael Vic V. Martinez, Nikka Marie J. Esperas, Jhon Paul O. Dacuital, Kate Vianci M. Lagunay, and Andrei Godwin L. Rosal. Their business concept earned them an ₱80,000 startup grant, which will help further develop and expand their enterprise. Green Bites was established with the goal of addressing food waste by extending the shelf life of vegetables through a nutritious and convenient food product. Their ready-to-cook Veggie Balls offer consumers a healthier option while meeting the growing demand for quick and easy meal solutions.

According to team member Raphael Vic V. Martinez, one of the key factors in improving their product was the use of a vacuum sealer for packaging. “Dako an iya nabulig, labi na an vacuum sealer han pag-pack han product para maiha an iya shelf life,” Martinez said, emphasizing how the equipment significantly extended the product’s shelf life.

The team’s success was made possible through the support of the Eastern Visayas State University Shared Service Facility (EVSU-SSF), where Green Bites is one of the facility’s incubatees. The EVSU-SSF provided the team with access to its workspace and essential food processing equipment throughout the development and preparation of their product for the competition.

In a statement, the EVSU-SSF congratulated Green Bites on their outstanding achievement, recognizing the team’s innovation, dedication, and excellence in product development. The facility also expressed pride in being part of the students’ entrepreneurial journey and wished them success as they advance to the next stage of the Young Farmers Challenge.

“Through this facility, most of our services are dedicated in commiting student enterprise”, said Mr. Jose Manuel Catuday, a faculty member of the Entrepreneurship Department.

The victory highlights the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and student entrepreneurs. Through programs such as the Shared Service Facility, EVSU continues to empower young innovators by providing the resources, technical support, and opportunities needed to transform promising ideas into sustainable enterprises.

With their provincial championship title, Green Bites is set to represent the province at the next level of the Young Farmers Challenge, carrying with them a vision of promoting healthier food choices while contributing to food sustainability and agricultural innovation.

This article is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), DG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Via | Jaime Gravador Jr.