From Garden to Classroom to Table: How DepEd is Cultivating a Food-Secure Future for Filipino Learners

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a nation where the aroma of adobo wafts through bustling streets and a bowl of lugaw can warm more than just the stomach, food is not just sustenance—it is identity. And in a bold, compassionate move echoing the cultural heartbeat of the Philippines, the Department of Education (DepEd) has ramped up its mission to feed not just minds, but also bellies, aligning itself with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive for food security within the country’s public schools.

At the heart of this movement is a powerful convergence of purpose: feeding the hungry, teaching the young, and preserving the culture.

Nourishment with Nationalism: PBBM’s Vision in Action

During the launch of Filipino Food Month 2025, President Marcos captured the spirit of the Filipino plate and the Filipino soul in one breath. “Sa pamamagitan ng ating pagkain, matutuklasan natin ang ating pagka-Pilipino,” he proclaimed, highlighting the deep ties between cuisine, resilience, creativity, and community compassion.

With this vision, DepEd has renewed its commitment to three cornerstone programs: the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP), Gulayan sa Paaralan, and Farm Schools—a triad aimed at nourishing the body, cultivating the land, and embedding values through food.

The Green Classroom: Ramon Torres Malingin Farm School’s Example

In the rural expanse of Negros Occidental, a beacon of this integrated approach stands proud: Ramon Torres Malingin Farm School (RTMFS). Here, students don’t just learn to plant—they learn to thrive.

Principal Roger Raymundo doesn’t just oversee a school; he shepherds a vision. “Farming can sustain them. Hindi ka magugutom kung marunong kang magtanim,” he asserts. Surrounding the school are bountiful rows of okra, eggplants, and bottle gourds—living lessons rooted in soil and survival.

These crops are more than just teaching tools. They directly nourish students through the school's feeding program, transforming learning into living, and knowledge into nourishment. For many students, it’s not just an education—it’s a lifeline.

Feeding Hope: Sta. Cristina Elementary School’s Triumph

Meanwhile, in the urban heartbeat of Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Sta. Cristina Elementary School (SCES) is proving that effective collaboration can turn policy into progress. With an astounding 93.80% success rate in its SBFP this year, SCES has turned meals into milestones.

Principal Elena Bayan attributes their triumph to community synergy. “Ang success ng aming SBFP ay makikita sa pagtutulungan,” she shares. Their Gulayan sa Paaralan is not just a source of vegetables—it is a symbol of unity, where parents, teachers, and students till the soil of progress together.

Every spoonful of ginisang munggo, every ladle of sopas, and every bowl of lugaw served at SCES carries not just nutrition, but tradition—a daily reinforcement of Filipino identity and shared responsibility.

The Bigger Picture: Food as Education, Culture, and Empowerment

From the provinces to the cities, DepEd is weaving a powerful tapestry that links agricultural literacy with nutritional health. This is no ordinary feeding program. It is a holistic, future-forward framework that sows seeds of sustainability while preserving the rich culinary soul of the nation.

These efforts are grounded in the wisdom of pagkakaisa—unity. They reflect a renewed national will to uplift children not just through textbooks, but through tangible, edible acts of care.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscores the ethos of the movement: “Through DepEd’s integrated approach that combines nutrition, agriculture, and values education, the spirit of Filipino hospitality and care is kept alive in every meal served.”

The Path Forward: Feeding with Compassion, Teaching with Purpose

As the country celebrates Filipino Food Month under the theme “Sarap ng Pagkaing Pilipino, Yaman ng Ating Kasaysayan, Kultura, at Pagkatao,” it becomes clear that this isn’t just a commemoration—it’s a commitment.

In every garden plot cultivated, in every Filipino dish served in our public schools, and in every child who learns to plant, cook, and care, DepEd is shaping not only stronger students, but a stronger Philippines.

And in this endeavor, food is not just what we eat—it’s who we are.

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