Trade group joins Nutrition Month celebration

MANILA, Philippines - In celebration of National Nutrition Month in the Philippines this July, the Turkish Flour Yeast & Ingredients Promotion Group (TFYI) recently sponsored an outreach initiative aimed at supplementing the dietary needs of Filipino schoolchildren.

Known as the TFYI Cookie Caravan, the program involved the distribution of cookies to select elementary students in public schools across Metro Manila.

The TFYI Cookie Caravan commissioned the members of the Filipino-Chinese Bakery Association, Inc. to produce the filling and delicious cookies using Turkish flour. The program is part of TFYI’s continuing commitment to give back to the communities that support its business.

“We are one with the Filipino people in the observance of National Nutrition Month, a reminder for us all about the value of nutrition. Proper nutrition is a powerful tool not only in one’s well-being, but also in children’s learning. Students who are well-nourished are more likely to become productive in class. With the TFYI Cookie Caravan program, we are one with the Philippine government’s goal of delivering health and nutrition services to the underserved Filipino youth,” said Turgay Unlu, chairman of TFYI, an organization of traders promoting and exporting Turkish products to the global market.

Through the TFYI Cookie Caravan, a total of 16,000 packs of Turkish flour cookies and 16,000 bottles of purified water were handed out in 17 public elementary schools in Caloocan, Mandaluyong, Navotas, Parañaque, Quezon and Valenzuela cities.

Joining the TFYI in the distribution are Turkish Ambassador Esra Cankorur and commercial counsellor Cezmi Besogul.

The free cookies were eagerly received by its beneficiaries, including 10-year-old Irish Caranzo. “Dahil po sa donasyon na ‘to, meron na po akong merienda na nakakabusog at pwedeng mai-share sa buong pamilya ko. Maraming salamat po (Because of this donation, I already have nourishing snacks that I can share with the rest of my family. Thank you very much),” said Caranzo, a fifth grader at Paltok Elementary School in Valenzuela City.

For Vilma Castillo, assistant principal at President Corazon Aquino Elementary School (PCAES) in Quezon City, the donated cookies help satisfy the nutritional needs of their students, many of whom are from disadvantaged communities in their locale.

“We are very grateful to the TFYI for their timely donation which supports our efforts to raise awareness on proper nutrition among our students as we observe National Nutrition Month,” said Castillo immediately after the distribution of cookies and bottled water at PCAES.

The TFYI Cookie Caravan, according to Mr. Unlu, goes beyond supporting an important advocacy. “To be able to bring smiles to the children’s faces is very heartwarming and priceless, inspiring us even more to continue our outreach programs that support our Filipino friends,” he added.