An exciting lineup of local producers is set to showcase their arts, crafts, and souvenir/packaged food products at the 2nd Biodiversity-Friendly Local Product Showcase on Sunday, December 4 at Ngarachamayong Cultural Center. Public sales begin at 2 pm. A special Buyer Preview will be held from 12-2pm for businesses and policymakers to meet producers and develop supply relationships. More information and the list of producers is online at bit.ly/BiodiversityShowcase. Set for a payday weekend, the public is encouraged to bring cash to support these small businesses.
As part of Palau’s #RespectProducers campaign, local producers will be able to tell their stories with a profile that explains their history, motivations, and sources for local, sustainably-produced products. All products must meet biodiversity-friendly criteria, such as avoiding endangered and protected species, celebrating Palau’s endemic species and cultural practices, or avoiding plastic.
Belau National Museum (BNM) and Palau Chamber of Commerce (CoC) are partnering with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Bureau of Cultural and Historic Preservation (BCHP), Palau Visitors Authority (PVA), and MAFE on this year’s exciting event. Financial support for the Showcase comes from GEF6 and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Food producers making added-value food products include Roberta Louch, who will debut taro-coconut cookies as a brand new product, and Minae Brel who will also be selling cookies made from tapioca, taro, noni, coconut, and fruit. Annie Tirso will be selling Coconut Syrup, Belechel Wilhelm will sell preserves made from roselle (hibiscus), and Jeff Ngirarsaoul will feature chile paste and sauce. Reflecting the growing awareness of the sustainability of pelagic fisheries and the #ChoosePelagic and #KeledANgercheled campaigns, several producers will be selling pelagic fish. The Northern Reefs Fisheries Coop will showcase their canned tuna, BOFI will sell smoked fish, and Pierre Besebes & family will sell canned Canned fish, demok, and Virgin coconut oil.
Several producers will feature coconut oil products, including Leah Gillham, Kyle, producers from Ngaraard State, and Miel Sequeira-Holm, who will showcase her reef-safe sunscreen as well as arts such as paintings, stickers, and moneybead earrings.
Fashion designers include Cesca Morei-Misech, who will feature her recycled-material fashion, and Scott Weers, who will sell environment-themed t-shirts with Palauan motifs.
There will be several carvers, including Philipus Tkel, Nick Halishluw, Francisco Morei Secharmidal, who will showcase his painted storyboards, as well as storyboards carved by prisoners.
A variety of jewelers and accessory-makers will be present and showcasing their products made out of sea glass, shells, woven materials, or clay. They include Jayna D. Kasiano of SinceShorely YoursXO, Sheryl Norbert, Mikeas Isidoro, Josie Isidoro, Elaine Fielding, and Jennifer Kumangai.
Visual artists include painter Wilbur “Olu” Williams, multi-media artist Sam Adelbai, who will again offer an interactive art experience, and Tekoi Rdiall, who will showcase paper arts including Christmas cards and calligraphy.
Emilda Adelbai of G&G Flower Farm will feature her woven products, including flower arrangements and jewelry, and Jury Kebekol will showcase woven bags.
The event will feature local musicians playing acoustic or string-band music. Local musician and songwriter Jim Geselbracht will be selling and autographing his new songbook.
Attendees at the Showcase are encourage to support these small businesses and then post pictures of their purchases or their relationships with producers using the #BuyLocalByLocal #RespectProducers and #Palau hashtags.