This descriptive study aimed to assess the business literacy of food entrepreneurs in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, Philippines to provide a basis for a targeted training and enhancement program. The study involved 94 food entrepreneurs, selected through unrestricted random sampling, and classified according to their demographic profiles, including age and highest educational attainment. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (Kruskal-Wallis H test) to determine differences in business literacy across demographic groups. Results revealed that, overall, respondents demonstrated a high level of business literacy, particularly in understanding financial statements, capital budgeting, and decision-making. When analyzed by age, respondents aged 36 to 50 years scored slightly higher than younger (20–35 years) and older (51–65 years) entrepreneurs. Regarding educational background, high school graduates and holders of non-business bachelor’s degrees demonstrated comparable or higher literacy levels than business degree holders. The Kruskal-Wallis test indicated no statistically significant differences in business literacy across age and educational attainment. Based on these findings, a training program was developed to further enhance the business literacy of food entrepreneurs, emphasizing practical application and financial decision-making skills. The results underscore the importance of hands-on experience and continuous learning in supporting entrepreneurial competence.

Keywords: business literacy, food business, entrepreneurs, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, Philippines, training program