Nutrition Month is an annual event held every July in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 491 known as the Nutrition Act of the Philippines, which created the NNC.

Carrying this year’s theme, “Pagkain ng gulay ugaliin, araw-araw itong ihain”, the National Nutrition Council in Central Luzon is all geared to celebrate the annual event in July.

The major activities that are planned during the observance of the nutrition month include nationwide simultaneous planting of vegetables in various schools, day care centers, communities, hospitals, parks, prisons, websites and homes.

As part of this year’s celebration, the National Nutrition Council will be conducting a nationwide recipe development contest designed to develop low-cost, easy to prepare, and nutritious vegetable dishes.

The contest is open to all cooking enthusiast, whether individual or group. The winning recipes will be compiled into a recipe book that will be printed for distribution to beneficiaries of Conditional Cash Transfer program also known as “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” administered by the DSWD. Thematic seminars for stakeholders will also be conducted.

NPC Magpantay explained that the objective of the observance is to promote vegetables and its increase consumption to the general public. According to her, promotion is expected to increase the demand for vegetables to support local vegetables farmers, encourage families, schools and communities to establish and maintain vegetable gardens in homes, schools and communities.

Also it aims to generate participation of those involved in the promotion, production, distribution and marketing of vegetables to increase their awareness on the nutritional and health benefits of vegetables.

NPC Magpantay added that the theme for this year’s celebration is geared towards addressing the declining consumption of vegetables among households and emphasize the importance of vegetables as main source of vitamins and minerals needed in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes as part of healthy diet.