The 2021 Nutrition Month with the theme “Malnutrisyon Patuloy na Labanan, First 1000 Days Tutukan!” aims to focus on raising the awareness and mobilizing actions to intensify the first 1000 days of life.

To spread awareness on the characteristics of a good complementary food and the importance of proper infant and young child feeding (IYCF) during the first 1000 days of life, the Laking 1000 Best Complementary Food Recipe Contest: Mother-BNS Tandem has been launched by NNC MIMAROPA.

The contest is open to all barangay nutrition scholars and mothers or caregivers with child within the scope of first 1,000 days of life – 0 months up to two years of child residing in MIMAROPA Region. Provincial/City Nutrition Action Officers and/or District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators of the respective LGUs may facilitate interested participants upon the submission of entries.

Each pair (BNS and mother) should be able to come up with a complementary food recipe that can be tweaked according to the following age groups: 6-8 months, 9-11 months, and 12-23 months. Additionally, the recipe should be cost-effective, made from locally-produced ingredients, and must manifest the four characteristics of a good complementary food: Timely, Adequate, Properly-fed and Safe.

Upon consolidation, a total of 11 recipes entries have been received:

1. MaKaTofu Nuggets in Sweet and Sour Sauce: https://www.facebook.com/NNCMiMaRoPaRegion/photos/a.4547054721995732/4596131070421430
2. Lugaw + KIMP: https://www.facebook.com/NNCMiMaRoPaRegion/photos/a.4547054721995732/4596132323754638
3. Tortang Isda with Kalabasa and Malunggay: https://www.facebook.com/NNCMiMaRoPaRegion/photos/a.4547054721995732/4596139037087300
4. Vegetable Nuggets in Catsup Dip: https://www.facebook.com/NNCMiMaRoPaRegion/photos/a.4547054721995732/4596141717087032
5. Patty KIM: https://www.facebook.com/NNCMiMaRoPaRegion/photos/a.4547054721995732/4596146157086588
6. Mashed BAM: https://www.facebook.com/NNCMiMaRoPaRegion/photos/a.4547054721995732/4596151620419375
7. Veggie Maruya: https://www.facebook.com/NNCMiMaRoPaRegion/photos/a.4547054721995732/4596155507085653
8. KaMoMay Rice: https://www.facebook.com/NNCMiMaRoPaRegion/photos/a.4547054721995732/4596159050418632
9. Kamote Am-Am Sarap: https://www.facebook.com/NNCMiMaRoPaRegion/photos/a.4547054721995732/4596164487084755
10. Mixed Vegetables Omelet with Shrimp: https://www.facebook.com/NNCMiMaRoPaRegion/photos/a.4547054721995732/4596171773750693
11. RMKE: https://www.facebook.com/NNCMiMaRoPaRegion/photos/a.4547054721995732/4596183293749541

Each entry shall be rated with the following criteria: 30% for uniqueness or how the recipe was developed or improved using diverse locally produced ingredients; 20% for food preparation or the difficulty level in preparing the recipe in terms of cooking method and food availability; 20% for creativity or how the complementary food is presented; and lastly, 30% for public impact or the appreciation of social media citizens through likes (20%) and shares (10%). Strictly, votes without liking the FB Page won’t be counted.

Winners declared by the board of judges from select interagency representatives shall take home the following: P5,000.00 cash incentive for the first prize, P3,000.00 cash incentive for the second prize, P2,000.00 cash incentive for the third prize and P500.00 cash incentive for four (4) electronically drawn non-winners. Additionally, all participating contestants shall receive nutrition month tumbler and Certificates of Participation.

Once winners are declared, it shall be final and irrevocable. Who do you think will aim for the gold? Cast your votes now as voting ends on 28 July 2021 (Wednesday), 2:00 PM.

Stay tuned on 3 August 2021 (Tuesday), 1:00 PM for announcement of winners only at NNC MIMAROPA Facebook Page (https://www.fb.com/NNCMiMaRoPaRegion/)!

Written by: NO I Nichole Loyola