OFWs, families join Davao Food Revolution

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By Ace June Rell S. Perez

THE Mindanao Migrants Center for Empowering Actions Inc. (MMCEAI) takes part in the implementation of the Davao Food Revolution, a program of Mindanao Commission on Women (MCWs) Mothers for Peace Social Enterprise, Inc in partnership with the City Government of Davao.

A total of 50 individuals had already expressed interest and participated in Davao Food revolution, 30 of whom are growers of organic fruits and vegetables and 20 product and food sellers.

Most of the groups are family members of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and migrant returnees.

"We want to promote healthy food business under the Davao Food Revolution. These are some of the measures of the MMCEAI towards healthy living by selling and producing healthy and safe foods and products for Davaoenos consumption, and provide economic enterprise and livelihood programs to our members," said Inorisa Sialana-Elento, executive director of MMCEAI, during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at the SM City Annex Ecoland.

Elento said the move is in partnership with the Mothers for Peace Social Enterprise Inc., Integrated Gender Development Division and Department of Education. MMCEAI participated in the campaign just this month.

The group gave P10,000 assistance to 50 individuals for the realization of Davao Food Revolution involvement.

Davao Food Revolution was launched in 2012. The program aims to revolutionize sourcing and preparation of food by teaching women how to grow organic fruits and vegetable in backyards and community gardens.

The campaign aims to improve the condition of school children who suffer from chronic malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and frequent illnesses, which lead to poor school performance and early school dropout.

"We realize this program through food carts which will be used by the women vendors, selling healthy food products, which are either fresh fruits or vegetables and other healthy foods and drinks. It is available at P10,000 inclusive with initial ingredients to start healthy food cart business," said Patmei Bello Ruivivar, program director of Davao Food Revolution, adding that they also offer lending payable for one year with only three percent interest.

At present, a total of ten food carts are operating in the city but Ruivivar said that "it is not visible in Davao."

She also said that in time with the Kadayawan Festival, they will deploy three food carts in different strategic areas in the city including Museo Dabawenyo, People's Park and somewhere in Matina for visibility.

"The real challenge in the program is the willing individuals to venture in this healthy business despite the success stories told by the individuals who ventured in this business," Ruivivar said.

Davao Food Revolution food cart investors reported an average of P1,000 net income per day, much higher than a laborer's minimum wage.

The food carts offer healthy food and drinks such as Suman with sikwate, Binangkal with Kalabasa, pink juice (camote tops juice with calamansi and honey), singers delight(ginger and honey mixed with pandan) P100 cost lang ang kita P500, malunggay flavored polvoron, squash hot cake, among others.

The Davao Food Revolution food carts were also placed in elementary and secondary schools: Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School, Palma Gil Elementary School, Davao City National High School, among others.

"This is a good move for the families and returned OFW because through this livelihood and social enterprise hindi na kami dependent sa remittance ng aming OFW family member," Ma. Salome Tabudlong, member of MMCEAI and seller of malunggay flavored polvoron said.