In compliance with the Filipino dilemma of getting the right nutrition in every meal, a Filipino nutritionist encourages families to make time for urban gardening.

Based on a study by the National Nutrition Council, malnutrition is one of the most serious problems in the country, noting that one out of three Filipino children under the age of five is stunted.

These alarming cases can cause further risks in the future, leading agencies to take action to address the nutritional aspects of Filipinos.

With this, Nestle Philippines highlighted the importance of knowing the “Pinggang Pinoy” to comply with the needs of the family in every meal that they take.

Taking the affordability of ingredients into consideration for this “Pinggang Pinoy,” Nestle Philippines’ Corporate Nutritionist Executive Ivy Sicat emphasized that Filipinos should consider urban gardening.

“For us in Nestle, isa sa advocacy talaga namin is yung urban gardening. Kasi nakita namin na ang mahal na ng bilihin,” Sicat said.

She has also disclosed that they have partnered with different government agencies to further encourage Filipino families to engage in urban gardening.

“Ang ginawa po namin, we have our partnership with the Department of Agriculture [wherein] nagbibigay sila ng libreng seeds,” Sicat said.

Other than their collaborations, Sicat also explained the presence of their built program, “Sarap Sustansya Advocacy,” teaching individuals to do container gardening to comply with small home spaces.

With the help of urban gardening, the nutritionist also disclosed her own experience of how this helped her at home.

“Alam niyo po, nag-compute ako, malaki na yung natitipid ko at sobrang natutuwa ako kasi fresh na siya pati yung satisfaction na ako yung nag-alaga nung halaman na yun,” Sicat said.

She also added that urban gardening can strengthen the bond between Filipino families as they can conduct such planting activities at home together.

Along with inspiring Filipinos to engage with urban gardening, Nestle Philippines also conducted the “Nestle Wellness Festival” as an initiative to celebrate Nutrition Month.

The said festival was attended by families not only from Quezon City but also from its neighboring cities to join the fun and experience Nestle Philippines’ prepared booths.

Besides its interactive games in each booth, the company also offered free consultations for the attending families.