Tetra Pak-RFM: Partners for a healthy future
MANILA, Philippines - In a bid to cultivate and promote healthy living among school children, Tetra Pak and RFM Corporation have partnered for the USDA Food for Progress school nutrition program. Launched last month at Sagad Elementary School in Pasig City, it is an offshoot of the Philippine government’s efforts in aiding the victims of disastrous super typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.
The Department of Agriculture, through the National Dairy Authority, invited local companies to take part in converting the donation of 680 metric tons of non-fat dairy milk powder from the United States into ultra-high temperature (UHT) processed ready-to-drink chocolate-flavored milk and fortified biscuits. These food items are to be distributed during the 60-day feeding program proposed by Department of Education-Health and Nutrition Center, for implementation in 271 pre-selected public schools situated in Luzon that were hard-hit by the said super typhoons.
“Tetra Pak’s partnership in this project underscores our commitment not just to the environment but also to the health of our country’s future — the Filipino children. We hope to stress that a healthy and clean environment goes hand in hand with a child’s well-being,” says Tetra Pak’s communications and environmental manager Tess Raymundo.
The chocolate-flavored milk and the biscuits will not only provide the proper vitamins and nutrients to aid in the child’s overall growth and development but also give the families of the children a big help in terms of lesser cost by contributing to the child’s daily baon (lunch box).
RFM president and CEO Jose Maria Concepcion III notes, “Health is the most important aspect of a young student’s life. By giving the children milk and biscuits for 60 days, this project by the Department of Agriculture, National Dairy Authority, and Department of Education will not just help them and their families with their budget but also give them hope for a healthier future. We are very honored to be part of this worthy cause.”
The program, which will supplement the pupils’ daily dietary needs, will run from November 2010 to January 2011 and will cover 81,718 Grade 1 public elementary students in Regions I, III, IV-A, and the National Capital Region.
