The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) urged parents to have their babies eat fruits and vegetables to help them develop an appreciation for vegetables at an early age.
Ellen Bugnos, the focal person of the CSWDO’s Supplemental Feeding Program, said it is important that children begin eating vegetables at a very young age to ensure that they get the nutrients necessary for their general growth and development.
“Dapat unta to pagsugod pa lang sa bata og kaon og solid food didto man unta to dapat [nga] magtad-tad sila (parents) og dahon [sa gulay], mga kalabasa, pinuhon og maayo, i-apil didto sa lugaw sa bata para ma-anad na siya sa lasa sa gulay (When the baby begins eating solid food, the parents should start chopping (vegetable) leaves and pumpkins, grind them thoroughly, and add them to the baby’s porridge. This way, the baby will be familiar to the taste of vegetables),” she said.
She said introducing vegetables to their children when they are still toddlers would also help them appreciate the meals being given during the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP).
She also said that they ensure to include nutritious meals and snacks made with local ingredients. The CSWDO also provides snacks such as pancakes, spaghetti with carrots, and Nutribun.
“Halimbawa naa’y omelet, so satoa ana purely itlog ra gyud na atoang ibutang, ilaha butangan gyud og malunggay. Unya, ang spaghetti, atoa spaghetti ra gyud ang ibutang, ilaha didto kay with carrots. Naa gyu’y gulay ang tanan nila’ng pagkaon (For example, for the omelet, for us we cook with pure eggs. For kids, we put malunggay. Then for the spaghetti, we put carrots. All their food has vegetables),” she said.
“Unya gina-encourage pod namo ang mga parents no nga dili gyud ta mag gamit og katong mga pampalasa nga seasoning kasi dili man gud siya apil diri [healthy ingredient] (Then we also encourage parents not to use those spices or seasonings because they are not considered healthy ingredients),” she added.
The CSWDO is now on its sixth week delivering food items to daycare centers. The SFP 14th cycle for the school year 2024-2025 began in October last year. There are 120 feeding days in a single program cycle.
She said the 14th cycle will end on February 14.
Bugnos said that daycare teachers make sure the food given is suitable for everyone, with religious and dietary allergy considerations.
“Diha sa (daycare) center atong ginapakaon kay tuna or chicken, unya gisiguro pod ni siya sa CSWDO nga halal food ang i-deliver sa mga supplier (In daycare centers we serve chicken or tuna. The CSWDO makes sure that suppliers deliver halal food),” she said.
The CSWDO delivers a full meal and a snack a day.
Bugnos said the 15th cycle of the SPF will start in July. CIO
