MAGGI, the trusted ally of Filipino homecooks, announced the successful implementation of its Sarap Sustansya Garden, a vegetable garden developed in support of the Department of Agriculture (DA) National Urban and Periurban Agriculture Program (NUPAP) and the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI).
Emphasizing the importance of environmentally sustainable food systems, the MAGGI Sarap Sustansya Garden showcases simple ways on how Filipinos can grow their own food, and inspire families to plant vegetables.
“We, at the Department of Agriculture, are pleased that MAGGI is aligned with our goal of increasing vegetables consumption among Filipino households, and with the economic and ecological objectives of the DA-NUPAP,” said Secretary William Dar.
“Urban farming is one of the most practical and effective measures towards attaining food security and sustainability,” the DA chief added.
“Communities learn to make use of limited spaces and work together to grow food, and as they expand production, it can also provide alternative livelihood opportunities,” Secretary Dar said.
To ensure the availability and accessibility of safe, fresh vegetables in urban areas for everyday cooking, the DA through the NUPAP continues to collaborate with respective communities and local government units, as well as private sector companies like Nestlé to establish agriculture projects that use innovative and eco-friendly horticultural methods.
“Through the Sarap Sustansya Garden, MAGGI is able to contribute in promoting the DA’s food security initiatives, especially in these challenging times,” said Rosalyn Simba, Business Executive Officer – Food and Dairy Culinary Business Unit at Nestlé Philippines.
“In line with our advocacy to empower moms to create nutritious and delicious meals for their families, MAGGI encourages homecooks to consider planting vegetables in vacant yards or fields that will give them easy access to the fresh ingredients they need to cook a healthy, tasty meal. Even a window ledge could be enough space to grow potted herbs and vegetables,” Simba said.
Located at Nestlé’s Lipa Integrated Coffee Center (LICC), the MAGGI Sarap Sustansya Garden received technical assistance from DA-BPI Los Baños in the form of extensive training and planting materials.
MAGGI took inspiration from the top everyday dishes of Filipino families like pinakbet, sinigang, sinabawang gulay, among many others and dedicated lanes for planting the vegetables usually required as main ingredients like onion, garlic, tomato, kalabasa, eggplant, okra, ampalaya and sitaw.
The Nestlé LICC farm management team also learned vermicomposting for organic fertilization, to ensure that the MAGGI Sarap Sustansya Garden followed sustainable farming practices.
“We are pleased to be working with MAGGI in inspiring Filipinos to begin their urban farming venture,” said DA-NUPAP and High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban.
“Part of the DA’s food security program is to enable Filipino families to have ‘Food Always in the Home’ or FAITH,” said Panganiban. “By optimizing limited spaces for small-batch growing, vegetables will always be within their reach,” he added.
To guide homecooks in their own urban farming journey, MAGGI will conduct a free online workshop for them to learn how to plant, nurture, and harvest the most common vegetables.
Follow MAGGI on their website, Facebook and YouTube channel for updates on the MAGGI Sarap Sustansya Garden workshop, or more kitchen tips for everyday cooking.
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About MAGGI
In the Philippines, MAGGI has been Filipinos’ partner in promoting the goodness of homemade food. Our wide range of products makes cooking an enjoyable experience, inspiring cooks to make food that’s delicious and nutritious.
With MAGGI Magic Sarap, seasoning, sauces and sinigang mixes, simple dishes are transformed from good to great. And because of this, meals go beyond just taste. They create a huge impact on family’s lives through the nourishment they provide, and the special moments that revolve around them.
We join homecooks as their trusted partner in the place where good eating habits begin: the kitchen. Our recipes are especially created to inspire, to promote the balance of taste and nutrition, and to encourage all Filipinos to nurture good relationships.
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