The city government of Parañaque kicks off the 51st Nutrition Month celebration by showcasing a five-day livelihood and food caravan organized by the Cooperative and Development Office and led by Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

Olivarez has committed to improving nutrition in the city, emphasizing the importance of access to safe and nutritious food for all city residents.

This year’s celebration, with the theme “Food and Nutrition Security, Maging Priority! Sapat na Pagkain, Karapatan Natin!” will feature a 5-day Livelihood and Food Festive Caravan that will showcase Paranaque's locally sourced and made products, as well as healthy and nutritious food.

Dr. Pauline Navarro of the City Nutrition Office (CNO) said the caravan will help promote nutrition-sensitive interventions and also provide livelihood training and development packages to support parents and children in combating malnutrition.

"We also specifically invite the families of malnourished children who availed of livelihood trainings to showcase their products and skills," Navarro said.

Olivarez said other activities in line with the celebration include simultaneous nutrition counseling sessions with free blood screenings for uric acid and blood sugar for City Hall employees and other clients.

He said participants will also receive personalized health and nutrition advice from registered nutritionists and dietitians of the city.

The mayor said the CNO is collaborating with Salinas Foods, Inc. — a salt-based technology company that has been in the industry for 67 years and an active partner of the Department of Health, National Nutrition Council, and UNICEF through its FIDEL Salt program.

Olivarez said the company’s initiative, dubbed "Salinas Masustansyang Neighborhood Store," aims to bring affordable and nutritious products closer to communities.

He said that as part of CNO’s advocacy to promote food security among households, it will conduct the “Grow and Share: Home Gardening” contest among households that maintain a home food garden.

The CNO OIC said a cooking contest entitled Cook and Share: Nutritious Meals on a Budget will also be conducted among families of malnourished children.

Navarro said simultaneous promotional events will be conducted in all 16 barangays of the city to promote food security among vulnerable groups.

An online nutrition quiz, “Know-trition,” will be conducted that is open to all residents and can be accessed by visiting the CNO’s Facebook Fan page — Paranaque City Nutrition Committee for updated nutrition programs and activities on the month-long celebration.

During the week-long livelihood and food caravan, freebies will be given away to everyone who participates in the activities.

The Nutrition Month is held every month of July under Presidential Decree 491, otherwise known as the Nutrition Act of the Philippines. The National Nutrition Council-led celebration aims to promote nutrition awareness and advocate for healthier diets.