While economic disparities can impact access to nutritious food, Knorr Philippines and the GMA Kapuso Foundation are committed to making nutritious, delicious and affordable meals accessible to Filipino families.
Knorr Philippines has joined the GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) in its “Give A Gift Feed A Child” project to help the communities of General Nakar, Quezon. More than 300 children from three schools, from kindergarten through third grade, graduated in July as part of a six-month nutrition program partnership.
It Takes a Village: Students See Improvements in Height and Weight
With the guidance of local officials from General Nakar and the Ministry of Education, the municipality was identified among those that would benefit from a holistic nutrition program based on the results of the nationwide Operation Timbang 2021 led by the National Nutrition Council.
In collaboration with GMAKF, Knorr stepped in as one of its main sponsors to manage the program in the community.
The “Give a gift to feed a child” program aimed to:
- Reduce short-term hunger among undernourished children through a 120-day school-based supplementary feeding program;
- Improve school attendance and classroom performance; And
- Educate beneficiaries’ parents and guardians about good health and nutrition through interactive lectures, including learning sessions based on Knorr’s Nutri-Sarap educational module.
The weight of approximately 88% of the beneficiary students improved and 85% recorded an increase in their height during the program period. It was also observed that students were more alert and energetic in their classes.
The initiative was also strengthened by the active participation of mothers who prepared nutritious meals for the school feeding program, maintained the gardens and put into practice the knowledge acquired through Knorr’s nutrition education modules.
“It was truly moving to see the collective efforts of private organizations, parents, teachers and local officials as we embarked on a transformative six-month journey to benefit the children of General Nakar. Knorr’s commitment to fighting malnutrition spans two decades, and this collaboration is proof that when the community comes together, we make significant progress,” said Bindoy Baltazar, Chief Commercial Officer, Unilever Nutrition Philippines.
Knorr Nutri-Sarap: Foundation for Sustainable Nutrition
Feeding programs conclude after a defined period of time with the goal of enabling the community to maintain healthy habits and outcomes through the tools and resources obtained through the program. In the case of GMAKF and Knorr’s adoption community in General Nakar, the right foundations are in place, including school and yard gardens and trained parents and guardians. Program sponsors remain confident that the community will continue to come together to sustain improvements in undernutrition rates in their region.
“We are proud that Knorr is helping mothers continue this journey in their own home with our Knorr Nutri-Sarap budget journal. This invaluable resource gives them affordable meal planning techniques, allowing them to make healthier choices for their family. With a 21-day collection of nutritious, delicious and budget-friendly recipes rated by DOST-FNRI, we ensure that every meal is a step towards a healthier future,” Bindoy added.
Knorr is Unilever’s largest food brand and is committed to using its size and reach to inspire people to make more nutritious, planet-friendly food choices every day. Through products, programs and partnerships, Knorr champions a sustainable way of eating.
