By Due to the enhanced community quarantine, many Filipinos have been stocking up on supplies. But for some, the luxury of hoarding food and protective equipment is a far cry from what they earn, especially now that most livelihoods are at a halt. LGUs are quick to respond by sending supplies to people door to door. Most of these care packages are composed of canned goods and instant noodles. The food people are receiving may satiate their hunger, but they do not provide the right nutrition they need, especially during a health crisis.
Manila Bulletin Lifestyle columnist and registered nutritionist Cheshire Que says that to boost immunity, an everyday meal must include at least two cups of fruits and three cups of vegetables. With this, does it make more sense if LGUs send out fruits and vegetables to people, even more than processed food?
Under the leadership of Mayor Menchie Abalos, the local government of Mandaluyong is also including a bag of fresh vegetables. This not only benefits the people receiving supplies, but also the farmers and merchants trying to make a living.
Photo from Mandaluyong City PIO.
Chef and founder of Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement Head of SYFN Philippines, Jam Melchor, backs this initiative. “I hope that other LGUs will continue to source out and distribute fresh produce instead of canned goods or instant noodles. This is important for nutrition and dignity,” he says in a post. “More sales of local produce will create more demand. It will also motivate farmers to produce more agricultural products for all of us.”
Vegetables for sale from Bonena Multipurpose Cooperative.
Bonena Multipurpose Cooperative, a group of 78 farmers from Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija, is showcasing their vegetables and other produce up for sale starying today, at the Cold Storage in FTI Complex, Taguig, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, contact 0917-835-0338 and look for Mary Ann Dela Rosa.
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