The Quezon City government, through the Food Security Task Force (QC-FSTF) and Social Services Development Department, launched its #GrowQC Nutritious Feeding program in a bid to help urban farmers by sourcing fresh vegetables from the city’s urban farms and at the same time, provide healthy meals to residents of QC.

The program was set up in eight Yakap Daycare Centers in Barangay Bagong Silangan with 1,600 beneficiaries who received nutritious hot meals. The beneficiaries were given nutritious ginisang monggo, with squash, anchovies and spinach. QC-FSTF also provided a mobile kitchen as a cooking site.

QC Food Security Task Force chairperson Mayor Joy Belmonte emphasized the importance of urban farms in providing food security in the midst of the pandemic.

“Ang #GrowQC Nutritious Feeding program na ito ay isa lamang sa mga inisyatibo ng lungsod upang ipagbigay-alam sa ating mga residente na maaaring makakuha ng masustansyang gulay sa ating urban farms. Sa pamamagitan din nito, nabibigyan din natin ng kabuhayan ang ating urban farmers,” Mayor Belmonte said.

“Hinihiyakat natin ang ating mga mamamayan na nawalan ng hanapbuhay dahil sa pandemya na subukan ang urban farming dahil maraming magandang benepisyo ito lalo na pagdating sa food security. Tutulungan kayo ng lungsod upang makapagsimula,” the Mayor added.

According to QC Sustainable Development Affairs Unit head Emmanuel Hugh Velasco, the feeding program will be replicated in other barangays.

“Simula palang ito ng ating #GrowQC Nutritious Feeding program at ipagpapatuloy natin ito sa iba pang barangay sa lungsod. Patuloy rin po nating suportahan ang urban farms dahil marami sa ating urban farmers ang nabibigyan ng kabuhayan dahil dito,” Velasco said.

Meanwhile, SSDD head Fe Macale expressed her gratitude towards the parents who volunteered to cook and prepare for the feeding program, and to barangay leaders headed by Bgy. Captain Willy Cara who helped distribute and ensure peace and order during the feeding program.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating mga parent volunteers na naging kaagapay natin at tumulong para maging matagumpay itong proyekto na #GrowQC Nutritious Feeding program,” Macale said.

The city has also provided assistance to urban farmers by distributing seed starter kits in partnership with the Department of Agriculture.

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