VALUE ADDING THROUGH SOYA ICE CANDY
MER LAYSON and his wife Mary Ann had a rough journey before they were able to establish their business as soybean processors. In September 2013, they started their KKK project with a modest amount of capital, and after completing a training session initiated by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), in partnership with the Pampanga office of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
This was the start of their business as producers of soya milk and soya coffee under the KKK brand name. KKK stands for the names of their three children: Kyla, Kyle, and Kevin.
To add value to their business, the couple also produces soya ice candy, also under the KKK venture. Soya ice candy is packed in a 110-ml hygienically-sealed food grade plastic, and sold at a very competitive price. Aside from the health benefits of soya milk and soya coffee, the couple decided to produce soya ice candy because they now have a stable source of raw materials from their own farm in Mexico, Pampanga, which they call Layson Farms. The farm organically produces about 120 sacks of soybeans per cropping season, enough to supply the needs of the couple’s KKK venture.
Soya milk is a healthy alternative to ice cream, especially when refrigerated to the desired temperature. It has the same amount of protein as cow’s milk, which can replace animal protein and other sources of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. But unlike cow’s milk, soya milk has little saturated fat and no cholesterol.