THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are sustaining their efforts to bridge the gap between Filipino farmers and schools, ensuring students receive nutritious meals while supporting local agriculture.
At the heart of this program is the recognition that child health and agricultural development are intricately linked.
By establishing a direct link between local farmers and educational institutions, we create a mutually beneficial ecosystem that ensures diverse, balanced meals for students, secures stable markets for local agriculture, and educates children about sustainable food systems," said SEARCA Director Mercedita Sombilla.
One of the key initiatives under this program is the "Healthy Plate" framework, designed to teach kindergarten and Grade 1 students about balanced nutrition. This visual tool helps young learners understand the importance of healthy eating, setting them up for physical and academic success.
"The 'Healthy Plate' initiative is a critical factor in instilling foundational principles of balanced nutrition in early learners," said Liezl Atienza, SEARCA consultant and director of the UPLB Institute of Human Nutrition and Food.
The program also explores ways to integrate local agriculture into school menus with Atienza highlighting the economic benefits of direct supply chains between farmers and schools, reducing logistical hurdles and costs.
"By mapping local crops directly to schools' weekly menus, we can ensure that students receive fresh, nutritious meals while supporting local farmers," she added.
SEARCA's efforts extend to capacity-building, with training on advanced soil and plant nutrition, biofertilizers and eco-friendly pest control, as well as postharvest handling protocols to maintain food safety during the transition from field to kitchen.
This empowers farmers to produce high-quality crops, ensuring food safety from farm to table. Blesilda Calub, SEARCA-UP Open University Course coordinator, emphasized the importance of learning about sustainable farming practices, saying, "It's crucial for farmers to adopt eco-friendly methods to ensure the long-term health of our soil and crops."
The program has already shown promising results, with the successful rollout of the School-Plus-Home Gardens Project (S+HGP) in Laguna. Anna Gale Vallez, SEARCA Program specialist, said that the project is being scaled up across neighboring provinces, with plans for broader institutionalization in other countries.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara also underscored the need for streamlined logistics to support local agriculture.
He expressed strong institutional support for local agricultural sectors, championing a holistic, community-based approach that empowers farmers in their vital role as direct suppliers to these national feeding initiatives.
"We recognize the vital role of farmers in our national feeding initiatives, and we are committed to empowering them as direct suppliers to our schools," he said.
As the Farm-to-School Connectivity program continues to gain momentum, Sombilla said it is clear that this initiative has the potential to transform the way Filipino students eat, learn, and grow.
"By fostering a culture of healthy eating and sustainable agriculture, SEARCA and DepEd are sowing the seeds for a brighter, healthier future for the Philippines," she said.