A healthy community will result in happy and productive citizens.
The local government of Quezon City thus came up with the idea of establishing 295 feeding stations in day care centers for the most vulnerable and needy residents.
The Social Services Development Department (SSDD), as part of its #GrowQC Nutritious feeding program, prepares meals planned by its nutritionist-dietitians with the help of day care workers and parent-volunteers.
“All our feeding stations established in 295 day care centers can feed up to 100 families a day. Kada araw, nakakapagbigay tayo ng masustansyang pagkain sa 29,500 na pamilya na bahagi ng most vulnerable sector ng ating komunidad (Every day, we are able to provide healthy food to 29,500 families who belong to the most vulnerable sector of our community),” QC Mayor Belmonte said in a statement on Thursday.
Among the meals on the menu are spinach-malunggay soup, miswa veggie soup, adobong kangkong (water spinach), and sautéed cabbage, chayote, and carrots.
The ingredients are sourced from the city’s urban farm projects that also provide a livelihood to farmers in Villa Viena in Barangay Novaliches and Sitio Uno in Barangay North Fairview.
“This program also promotes the importance of urban farming. Hinihikayat namin ang mga residente na magkaroon ng sarili nilang urban garden sa kanilang bakuran. Ang lungsod ay handang umalalay sa inyo para makapagsimula kayo (We are encouraging our residents to put up their urban garden right in their backyard. The city will assist you so you can start the project),” Belmonte added.
Most of the beneficiaries are those most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to SSDD chief Fe Macale.
“Most of the beneficiaries of our feeding program are those who lost their job(s) due to the pandemic, and so, while the NCR (National Capital Region) is still under MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine), we will provide them with free and nutritious food every day),” Macale said.
Aside from the established feeding stations, the #GrowQC mobile kitchen also goes around the city to bring nutritious meals closer to communities.
Photo Source: Facebook/Quezon City Government