By James A. Loyola Leading food and beverage kiosk operator, Fruitas Holdings, Inc. (FHI) is expanding its product portfolio to include dairy products through a partnership withBukidnon Milk Company (BMC). In a statement, the firm said BMC is the operator of Mindanao’s biggest and only pasture-fed dairy farm and Fruitas will carry its fresh milk and yogurt. Fruitas has initially carried Bukidnon Milk Company fresh milk and yogurt on its CocoDelivery platform. Under the partnership, Fruitas will also be the exclusive carrier of Bukidnon Milk Company products via carts, kiosks and stalls. The firm had had previously disclosed its plan to launch a fresh store concept under the Babot’s Farm brand, and this will prominently feature Bukidnon Milk Company products alongside Fruitas’ leading buko beverage line, and Soy & Bean’s soy-based products. “We have received very positive feedback on Bukidnon Milk Company products from our customers,” said FHI President and Chief Executive Officer Lester Yu. He noted that, “Dairy is a staple component of a balanced diet and we are glad to partner with a top-notch local producer of fresh dairy.” “This new collaboration is in line with our vision for Fruitas to be synonymous with fresh products and become an essential part of Filipinos’ daily lives,” Yu added. As constraints brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic continues to present challenges to all businesses from large conglomerates to small operators, Fruitas commits to mitigate the impact by adding new revenue and profit streams. Fruitas raised an estimated P820m net proceeds from its initial public offering and said it has more than sufficient funds to weather the ongoing difficult situation. Since its initial public offering, Fruitas has completed the acquisition of Heat Stroke Grill, Kuxina, The Tofu Store, and CocoDelivery and forged partnerships with Pan de Manila and Bukidnon Milk Company, which have the made the company bigger and stronger. Fruitas’ strong financial standing and recent strategic initiatives allow it to be well-prepared to capture opportunities going forward. Earlier, Fruitas Holdings, Inc. expanded its partnership with Pan de Manila which is now offering Fruitas fresh fruit juices in its bakeshops. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Fruitas said the partnership started just before the imposition of quarantine in Metro Manila. Since then, Fruitas fresh fruit juices have been made available in more than 20 Pan de Manila stores in the densely populated cities of Manila, Mandaluyong, Pasig, and Quezon City, among others in Metro Manila.