NUTRI-MEALS ON WHEELS: A COMMUNITY–DRIVEN BUSINESS MODEL FOR BREAKFAST FEEDING PROGRAMS UTILIZING THE PINGGANG PINOY FRAMEWORK

Abstract

Childhood malnutrition remains a significant concern in the Philippines, impacting health and educational outcomes. While school-based feeding
programs (SBFPs) exist, many face challenges in funding, logistics, and sustainability. Breakfast, recognized as crucial for children's well-being and learning is
often overlooked in existing SBFPs. This study introduced the "Nutri-Meals on Wheels" (NMOW) model, a subscription-based breakfast feeding program utilizing
mobile food trucks and a centralized commissary. NMOW aimed for a sustainable operation from generating suspended meals for schoolchildren through a
community-driven subscription model utilizing a "Buy One, Help One" (BOHO) initiative. The methodology involved a pilot simulation of the NMOW business
model through a consumer survey involving a teacher-facilitated and parent-endorsed support system to fully implement a community breakfast feeding program
among primary public-school children in Baguio City, Philippines. The survey gathered data on perceived meal quality by integrating the nutritional guidelines of
the Pinggang Pinoy framework tailored for the age group, six to nine years old. The findings included perceptions into parental willingness to participate in a
sustainable breakfast program, their preferences regarding meal options and delivery, and potential financial viability. This study benefits stakeholders by providing
valuable data on the feasibility and acceptability of an innovative, community-driven breakfast feeding model that can contribute to improved nutrition and school
readiness for Filipino public-school children. The findings also offered valuable insights for policymakers, non-governmental organizations, and potential social
entrepreneurs in establishing effective and sustainable breakfast feeding initiatives in the Philippines potentially serving as a template for Public-PrivatePartnership.