TO PROMOTE health and nutrition in schools, AAMBIS-OWA Partylist Rep. Sharon Garin filed a measure that seeks to establish a national farm to school program.

House Bill 7009 or the proposed Farm to School Program Act aims to battle malnutrition in young children by creating a healthy food environment in schools.

Garin said statistics from studies conducted by multiple agencies reveal a trend of hunger, wasting and undernutrition in young children.

The National Farm to School Program includes procurement of local foods which would then be served to school children. It also mandates the participation of students in activities related to agriculture, food, health and nutrition including hands-on learning through in-school farming and gardening.

Garin believes that food and agriculture-based learning activities will help address malnutrition among schoolchildren.

“This leads to an increase in knowledge and awareness about gardening, agriculture, and instills in children the values of good health, proper nutrition, hard work, and responsibility,” she said in her explanatory note.