A holistic approach in addressing malnutrition requires great amount of enthusiasm thus different intervention is needed. Also, collaboration of different ideas with one goal may be applied.

One of the services of the Early Childhood Care and Development for the First 1000 Days Program under the continuum of care to complement direct nutrition services is the provision of appropriate nutrition-sensitive interventions that includes the sustainability of home and community food production. This intervention helps to alleviate the nutrition situation of a family through income generating purposes and direct access to quality, safe and nutritious food for the whole family.

The National Nutrition Council believes that a well-nourished nation is the foundation of development thus, the Early Childhood Care and Development for the First 1000 Days of Life (ECCD-F1K) program was established through provision of technical and financial support to the ECCD-F1K areas which were identified as convergence areas for poverty alleviation

In Region 1, the Municipalities of Bayambang and Umingan and the Cities of Urdaneta and Alaminos in the Province of Pangasinan were identified as ECCD-F1K areas.

NNC provides support in these areas which include the provision and intensification of Home Food Production.

These areas have identified feasible livelihood programs which include dispersal of small animals and establishment of community and home gardens. The Town of Umingan opted for goat raising, free range chicken raising for Bayambang and duck and native hog raising for Cities of Alaminos and Urdaneta respectively.

These small animals were distributed to all ECCD beneficiaries which include pregnant and lactating women and families with 0-23 months old children.

The home food production component of the program is one which needs continuous provision of technical assistance for the sustainability of the livelihood program given to beneficiaries. The success of this program is expected to address the nutrition problems of all barangays, improve the quality of living and enhance the capability of each beneficiary in a community.

Technical Assistance, Monitoring and Evaluation (TAME) Team from the regional, provincial and municipal level are closely monitoring and providing technical assistance on the implementation of the program on a quarterly and monthly basis to ensure its sustainability.

This investment of the government in these areas aims to improve the nutrition situation and the quality of life of its constituents which will greatly contribute to the attainment of national goals particularly malnutrition reduction and improve food security. HJAB