To scale up the success of the Nutripan project, Mahintana Foundation, Inc. recently launched the Lutheran World Relief-funded Nutripan BREAD (Business for Rural Economy and Agriculture Development) Project at Koronadal City on July 10, 2017. This project, established as a social enterprise, aims to improve access to healthy, nutritious and less costly snack foods among school children by providing alternatives to junk foods sold around the schools and communities.
The Grand Launching was graced by Ms. Femia Baldeo, LWR Country Director; Mr. Roderick Valones, LWR Program Manager; Atty. Melquiades Hernandez III, Dolefil’s Director for Corporate Affairs Division; Mr. Martiniano Magdolot, MFI’s President & CEO; and witnessed by top officials and members of the City Government of Koronadal represented by Hon. Peter Miguel, City Mayor; Dr. Rogelio Artudido, Jr, IPHO of South Cotabato; Ms. Maria Anna Uy, PSWDO-OIC and Ms. Veronica Daut, CNAO. The School Principals and Nutrition Coordinators including students from Mariano Villegas Elementary School were also present to show their support.
The City Mayor of Koronadal, Hon. Peter Miguel, expressed his profound gratitude to LWR, Dolefil and MFI for the fast implementation of the project and assured his support, saying that the City Government will provide assistance for the success and sustainability of the project and to other endeavors that will help promote the welfare of the people and improve the delivery of basic services to communities.
Ms. Femia Baldeo, LWR’s Country Director, was elated with the new project and partnership with MFI as it explores a new approach not only focusing its initiatives in the health and nutrition sector but also follows a business orientation. She stated, in her message of support, that the project will help alleviate the prevalence of malnutrition, generate sufficient income to improve the bakeshop’s operation and provide additional livelihood to farmers who will be involved in supplying the raw materials for the production of the bread products.
After the short program, the participants witnessed the cutting of the ribbon, blessing and turnover of the bakeshop and delivery van followed by the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the official partnership and define the rights and obligations of LWR, MFI, Dolefil and the City Government of Koronadal.
