LGUs to lead healthy eating amid COVID-19 pandemic

For the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is food in the market but physically inaccessible to most people due to the imposed enhanced community quarantine and most families staying at home.  Food rations are resorted to by LGUS to help ensure social distancing in otherwise crowded public markets and groceries.  With the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, families are also stocking up on non-perishable and ready-to-eat foods, usually processed and packed with sodium-containing preservatives.  They also contain high levels of sugar or sometimes fat, all ingredients blamed for the increasing communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Thus, the National Nutrition Council in partnership with the interagency National Nutrition Cluster reminds local government units to limit giving foods high in salt, sugar and fat.  Should this be not possible, LGUs are advised to enhance the nutrient density of the food packs by adding vegetables and fruits produced by the local farmers. This strategy has actually worked with several LGUs now adding vegetables in their food packs while also trying to help small farmers earn income.