Nurturing Nutrition: CCDC Adopts Food Policy for Healthy Food Options in the School Canteen

In accordance with the Department of Education (DepEd) – Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Regional Memorandum No. 210, series of 2017, Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) adopted a policy guide on food to display in the school canteen. CCDC’s policy, and the Regional Memorandum itself, was made in response to the DepEd Order No. 13, series of 2017 or the Policy and Guidelines on Healthy Food and Beverage Choices in Schools and DepEd Offices. By adhering to these mandates, CCDC promotes good health and well-being by offering healthy food choices in the school canteen and fostering healthy eating habits in students and staff. Through this policy, CCDC hopes to combat the rising issue of obesity in children and adolescents, as well as promote sustainable food production and consumption.
Under the DepEd Order No. 13, s. 2017, foods and beverages are categorized into three categories: Green, Yellow, and Red. Green category refers to products that should always be available in school canteens. These include safe and clean water, oatmeal, fishes, fresh fruits, and lean meats. Food and beverages under this category provide a wide range of nutrients, and has minimal or negligible amounts of fats, sugars, and sodium. Yellow category foods and beverages are those that contain a decent amount of nutrients but a higher proportion of fats, sugars, and sodium. Thus, they should be served and eaten in moderation. These include fried rice, stir-fried vegetables, processed meats, and 100% fresh fruit juices. Foods and beverages under the red category generally contain high amounts of fats, sugars, and sodium. Therefore, they are not recommended to be served at school canteens. These include soft drinks, sweet pastries like cakes and donuts, bacon, caffeinated beverages, and sweetened fruits.
The CCDC canteen offers a variety of foods and beverages via multiple food stalls that serve their own menu. The menus are monitored to ensure that they meet the Yellow and Green categories. CCDC employs a policy banning single-use plastic. Therefore, soft drinks, sweetened fruit juices, and other unhealthy beverages are not sold. CCDC encourages everyone to bring their own water bottles in accordance with the no-plastic policy.

Link to the Regional Memorandum and basis for the school policy, click here.

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