Jollibee Group re: Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the social development arm of Jollibee Group, recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Education (DepEd) for the adoption of the central kitchen model for School-based Feeding Program (SBFP), which aims to alleviate hunger among school-aged children. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara led the signing ceremonies with JGF President Gisela Tiongson at the DepEd office last December 11, 2024.
In an effort to reduce hunger among school-aged children, the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the social development division of Jollibee Group, recently inked a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement the central kitchen model for the School-based Feeding Program (SBFP). On December 11, 2024, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara presided over the signing ceremonies with JGF President Gisela Tiongson at the DepEd office.
As part of the aforementioned collaboration, JGF will support the development of capacity to share its knowledge of executing the central kitchen model with local government agencies, partner public schools, and local partners through the JGF Busog, Lusog, Talino (BLT) Program. In the upcoming year and a half, thousands of students from Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon are anticipated to gain from this collaboration.
The Foundation first launched the BLT Program in 2007, recognizing the need to address hunger, a key factor contributing to low school attendance and high drop-out rates among public elementary students. In 2016, with DepEd implementing the School-based Feeding Program (SBFP) nationwide, JGF transitioned its approach by focusing on the establishment of central kitchens, reinforcing its commitment to promoting better access to food. To date it has spearheaded the creation of 41 central kitchens nationwide, providing continuous support to DepEd’s SBFP . Since its inception, the program has served meals to over 270,000 students from the direct feeding approach and the shift to establishing central kitchens.
“The BLT Kitchens centralize the preparation and distribution of meals, feeding thousands of students with less time and effort,” said JGF President Gisela Tiongson. “By working with DepEd and the support of the local government units, private institutions and parent volunteers in utilizing the central kitchen model, we can help mitigate hunger and give students better chances of continuing their education.”
Empowering facilitators
The Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) will also support the development of training centers for central kitchen management. Under the partnership, 15 of JGF’s existing BLT partner schools will serve as learning hubs for organizations aiming to establish their own central kitchens.
JGF will produce manuals and educational videos for DepEd staff and BLT partners to guarantee consistent and long-lasting implementation. These materials will enhance the initiative’s long-term success by aiding in process standardization.
Under the said partnership, JGF will provide capacity building support to DepEd personnel based on its experience in implementing the Busog, Lusog, Talino (BLT) Program.
Nine DepEd Central and Regional staff have so far taken part in a four-day training conducted by JGF. These qualified individuals will act as coaches, liaising with local government entities to establish central kitchens for community and school meals. In order to guarantee the sustainability and impact of these central kitchens, they will also offer technical advice on how to put them up and run them.
To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com
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