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MANILA, Philippines - Students from a public school in Pasig City
will be receiving free breakfast meals in the next 6 months not only to
improve their health, but also their academic performance. From August 2010 to January 2011, sauce and condiments company NutriAsia will be serving students from Oranbo Elementary School with warm breakfast before they start classes. Rice meals with their choice of vegetables, pork or fish will be provided along with fruits and milk or chocolate drinks. The project, called Gabay sa Kalusugan Feeding and Nutrition Program, is a tie-up between NutriAsia and the Department of Education (DepEd). The target beneficiaries for this year are 700 Grade 1 to Grade 3 pupils from 3 schools in Luzon, one in Cebu and one in Davao. Citing studies, DepEd noted that an empty stomach usually leads to
poor school performance, and eventually, dropouts. "Studies have shown that there are many children who come to school on an empty stomach. Learning is severely affected when students are hungry which, in turn, results to poor school performance and eventual dropping out," Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro, FSC said in a statement. For his part, NutriAsia President and Chief Operating Officer Noel Lorenzana said, "We have seen positive results from feeding programs and we would like to have that same result in our program -- improved weight of children and higher achievement levels." Parents and school personnel will also take part in the feeding program, DepEd said, adding that a nutritionist will be around to see if the serving size of the students' meals are right and has nutritional content. Each student's weight, height and grades will be monitored by the class advisers. An earlier survey showed that people who ate lower-calorie foods such as fruits, vegetables and high-fiber whole grains tended to have a higher-quality diet overall. They also weighed less compared to those who ate doughnuts or
pastries, and those who skipped the morning meal.
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