AS WESTERN Visayas celebrates Nutrition Month, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) is pushing for communal gardens to address immediate food security and underscore a broader, more impactful vision: the fortification of local food systems for enduring community health benefits.
Communal gardens are not a new concept, yet their integration into local food systems has never been more critical. Sheryl Sedantes, the Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, champions these gardens as an economical and sustainable solution to nutritional deficits and food insecurity. These gardens enrich diets with essential nutrients directly sourced from the backyard of a community, thereby reducing dependency on commercial agriculture and imported goods.
Local food production has tangible benefits. According to recent data from Operation Timbang Plus, there has been a noticeable decline in malnutrition-related issues such as stunting, wasting, and obesity among children in the region from 2019 to 2023. This affirms the positive impact that direct access to nutritious, locally-grown food can have on a population’s health.
Moreover, communal gardening encourages not just food security but also food sovereignty — giving communities control over what they grow and how they grow it. This empowerment is important; food production is often dictated by distant agribusinesses with little regard for local nutritional needs. By promoting gardening among households and barangays, the NNC and local government units (LGUs) are fostering a culture of self-sufficiency that aligns closely with the goals of the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition.
The significance of these efforts extends beyond the immediate benefits of reduced grocery bills or enhanced dietary options. This is a foundational shift towards healthier lifestyles and resilient local economies, buffered against the shocks of global food supply disruptions.
But it is essential that these initiatives are not sporadic or short-lived but are integrated into the fabric of community planning. The evident decrease in malnutrition rates is encouraging, but it is just the beginning. Sustained investment, both in terms of resources and policy commitment, will be crucial to realize the full potential of communal gardens.
Let’s build food systems that endure, that support not just the health of our children today but of every generation to come. With every garden we plant, we are seeding the future of our region’s health and prosperity.
