Overcoming malnutrition, one feeding program at a time

Every child has the right to receive proper nutrition but factors like economic stability sometimes prevent a child to obtain this right, and they become malnourished.

With this concern in mind, private corporations and NGO groups have been doing their share in eradicating malnutrition through various programs that focus on child health and nutrition.

CDO Foodsphere Inc. (CDO) and its corporate social responsibility arm, Odyssey Foundation, Inc. (OFI), in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) support the Department of Health (DOH) and National Nutrition Council (NNC) in celebrating Nutrition Month this July, with the theme: “Gutom at Malnutrition, Sama-sama Nating Wakasan.”

DepEd’s Memo 67 states this year’s objectives: increase awareness on hunger issues and actions to mitigate hunger and malnutrition; encourage stakeholders to contribute in addressing hunger issues; and advocate for stronger political action to end hunger.

In response to this call, supplemental feeding program graduations were recently held in Barangay Camarin, Caloocan and Barangay Sta. Lucia in Novaliches where  300 kids from both communities had their eating habits monitored and guided for three months.

Through supplemental feeding programs, a collective effort of eliminating malnutrition has been initiated and aimed to be sustained by the parents after the children have finished the program. “There is no need to look for expensive food but there are healthy alternatives, some can even be found in your own backyards. Parents just have to be responsible with what they feed their children, “ Barangay Camarin, Caloocan’s chairperson Donna DG Jarito expressed.

This project, aptly called Almusalang Bayan, promotes breakfast as an important meal that provides the necessary energy to start the day. OFI Executive Director Dindo Danao said: “We are a food company and the best way that we can help the marginalized people is to have a sustainable health and nutrition program. That’s why we are reaching out to people who would appreciate food.”