Diet Diversity

Dietary diversity in the Philippines is often very poor. 

In response to the challenges of Filipinos accessing a variety of fruit and vegetables, NCP promotes dietary diversity through the establishment of home and community gardens.  

Our research in this area has shown dietary diversity among children is improved by the introduction of produce gardens in the community.

NCP utilizes the FAITH (Food Always in the Home) approach developed by the Baptist Rural Training Center in Davao del Sur, to train schools and community groups on how to establish an edible garden with limited space. 

Students learn how to establish their own 'One Magic Square' fruit and vegetable garden (a one-by-one meter square  garden), containing up to 30 plants. 
 
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A market stall holder selling a variety of fruits.

Research and Programs on Dietary Diversity

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A productive community garden.
Food Always In The Home (FAITH): a community gardening project

FAITH is a home food security program making food available, accessible and affordable for the family. 

The three-day intensive workshop teaches participants the basics of small animal husbandry such as caring for chickens and growing fish, as well as how to establish and maintain a small fruit and vegetable garden utilizing minimal space, water and time.  

FAITH empowers community groups, schools and individual family members to produce nutritious, safe, chemical-free and easy to grow produce at home.

Learn more about implementing the FAITH program in your community.
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Children harvesting vegetables from the garden.
The impact of gardening on dietary diversity

A  research study by NCP has shown that children from households with gardens have higher dietary diversity and are likely to eat fruits and vegetables more frequently, compared to children who live in homes without gardens.  

Diversification of diet through home gardening provides households with fruits and vegetables that may help mitigate the problems associated with limited resources and access to staple micronutrient-rich foods.  

Fruit and vegetable gardens contribute to Nutrition Security, providing affordable food sources, that are beneficial for optimal growth and promote a healthy lifestyle.