Manila, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) is now pushing to further strengthen the implementation of feeding programs in schools with the help of farmers.
This is part of the agency’s Expanded School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), which is expected to benefit around 4.3 million students.
Under the program, DepEd will ensure that only nutritious food sourced directly from farmer groups will be served to students included in the feeding program.
With the expanded program, all kindergarten students in public schools will now be covered.
According to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, fresh vegetables for students will be sourced directly from farmers starting in June.
Through this approach, not only students’ nutrition improves, but local farmers are also guaranteed income.
The Education Department emphasized that the SBFP aims to ensure that children are healthy and well-fed while addressing nutritional deficiencies in schools nationwide, in order to prevent childhood malnutrition.