Food

Sweet Corn Packaging

SeedWorks Philippines extends full support to DA’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program, GMA Kapuso Foundation’s and the spirit of bayanihan amid the country’s fight against the new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. Also SeedWorks PH is donating P1M in cash and kind to Covid-19 relief efforts.

“A major part of the donation will be in the form of high-quality sweet corn seeds in support of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) ‘Plant, Plant, Plant’ program also dubbed as ‘Ahon Lahat, PagkaingSapat (ALPAS) Laban sa Covid-19,’ which is aimed at farmers and consumers nationwide.

The sweet corn seeds will be turned over to DA LGUs in targeted local government units in CALABARZON, Bicol, Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur, and Davao beginning in the April 20 week. SeedWorks is donating seeds of its popular sweet corn variety that is characterized to be early-maturing (can grow and yield harvest in just about 70 to 75 days) and can be cultivated in the current climate.

“We are heeding the government’s call for modern technology and intensified use of high-quality seeds to bolster food productivity amidst the current threat of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our sweet corn seeds can easily grow even in one’s backyard with little or no farming skills required. The variety is also tolerant to major diseases, produces cobs with long ears, and yields very sweet kernels”, said SeedWorks Philippines VP for Sales Remus Morandante.

SeedWorks Sweetcorn

Why sweet corn?

Corn makes an excellent staple food especially in times of crisis. Aside from having dietary fiber that curtails hunger for a longer period and being a rich source of carbohydrates (86 calories per 100 grams, higher compared to vegetables), its nutritional value can never be underestimated as it provides important minerals that the body requires like copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc. It also contains valuable B-complex group of vitamins—folates, niacin, pyridoxine, thiamin, and riboflavin—that pair with necessary enzymes during the body’s metabolism process.

Furthermore, corn also provides vitamins C, E, and A (in the form of beta carotene) as well as antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that help protect the system against diseases. It even reduces the risks of Type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, and cardiovascular conditions.

Cash donation

At the same time, SeedWorks Philippines is donating P250,000 cash to GMA Kapuso Foundation’s “Operation Bayanihan: Labanan and Covid-19’ program,” which is generating funds to aid health front liners, border-quarantine personnel, and families that have lost income due to the ongoing enhanced community quarantine implemented in Metro Manila and the entire Luzon.

“The amount is comprised of monetary donation from the company and voluntary dole-outs from our staff nationwide,” said SeedWorks Philippines Finance and Admin Manager NorielAviñante. “We hope these donations could help our fellowmen especially during these trying times.”

Private sectors are the one helping the government to combat Covid-19. Just like Mega Global Corp., makers of Mega Sardines, has extended a helping hand in undertaking various initiatives intended to ease the burden of its employees, local communities, healthcare institutions, and the government amid the pandemic.

Since the start of the Corona Virus Pandemic, the Philippines’ largest sardine fishing and canning operator has taken steps through the Mega Tiu Lim Foundation to provide around PHP50 million in aid to the community and to its employees. Internally, Mega Global has implemented a safety net to ease the struggles of its workers who have kept company operations running smoothly despite the challenges and risks posed by the enhanced community quarantine to the mobility of people and raw materials.

Mega Global also recognizes the selfless efforts of our country’s frontliners during this time of crisis. From health care professionals, security officials, public servants, supermarket staff, to those working tirelessly to provide our basic needs, heroes come in many different uniforms. As a staple brand, Mega Global relies on the unseen frontliners, the merchandisers and supermarket staff to help them continue to keep shelves stocked with essential food products. To help support these frontliners, they provided care packages for merchandisers and for those who work tirelessly from different groceries and supermarkets nationwide.

Mega Global opened Mega Malasakit Kitchen which provides 500 meals daily to support the unseen frontliners like those manning checkpoints, supermarkets, and barangay health offices. This program is partnered with different groups such as Lin’s Kitchen, Doña Maria, Ideal Macaroni, Lemon Square Lava Cake, 3J Plasticworld and Mtg. Corp., Fishta Seafood, Fish ‘n Chix, and Rizons ICA Batch ’97.

“These are very difficult times for the whole world, but Mega Global recognizes that it has a moral responsibility to provide support to the greater community. We have been busy with our own efforts and in helping others with their initiatives. We are making sure that our frontliners are taken care of, our logistics is still unhampered, and we are calibrating operations for maximum output. Through our humble contributions, we are confident that we can keep the Bayanihan spirit alive. In good times and in bad, Mega Global will always be here to keep the Filipino community strong. Rest assured, that no matter how uncertain times may seem, Mega Global will always be one with the Filipino as they face and overcome any challenge. We commit to do the best we can to keep on catching, producing and distributing our canned food products to the Filipino people in these times”, said William Tiu Lim, CEO of Mega Global Corporation.

There is no telling when the CoVID-19 pandemic will end, but Mega Global believes that each day is an opportunity for everyone to do their part. The company has donated canned goods to various charity drives, LGUs, and other organizations. Aside from the current programs of the company, it pledges to help hospitals with medical equipment in Metro Manila and Zamboanga.

Another good deeds in time of the COVID pandemic for our frontliners – healthcare workers, grocery staff, police and soldiers, and sanitation engineers – dug in the trenches, with little rest and provisions. Healthcare workers have been most appreciative of the generosity heaped on them as they shared their insights on the crisis.  Beyond cheering them on, they could bring their battle-weary frontliners added comfort by serving them a home-cooked meal. And what other Filipino meal could bring back happy memories than the iconic adobo?

If you want to bring our frontline heroes a taste of home-cooked meals, you can now do so by making a donation through Adobo Connection. For every Php1,000 donation, Adobo Connection will deliver meals to 10 front liners at the hospital of your choice and 2 additional complimentary meals matched by Adobo.

Frontliners at Different Hospitals

So far, Adobo Connection has provided over 3,000 health workers and frontliners at different hospitals, with donations coming from concerned Filipinos everywhere. Among the hospitals, it has delivered meals to Philippine General Hospital, Makati Medical Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City, Philippine Heart Center, Rizal Memorial Hospital, University of the East Medical Center,  Tondo Medical Center, Jose Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, San Juan de Dios Hospital, San Lazaro Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, and East Avenue Medical Center.

“This is really a challenging time for everyone. But we just have to always think about our fellowmen and how to protect them. Hopefully, this will be an eye-opener on how we can improve on things that are really needed for this country. Home-cooked meals given to us means a lot. Most of us do not eat on time and are having a hard time acquiring food due to enhanced community quarantine.” said Dr. Ryan Urgel of East Avenue Medical Center.

Dr. Ruiz, a Medical Resident at San Juan De Dios Hospital, said “The Covid pandemic is by far the biggest challenge we healthcare workers have faced. It has claimed and affected many lives, but it also brought us closer as a team and tempered our dedication to our profession. Thankfully, there are organizations that support us in times like these. We are thankful for all private companies and organizations like Adobo Connection for providing us with food and lifting our spirits in such a depressing time.”

You can support our frontliners by providing for their meal with the help of Adobo Connection. Donations can be made through BDO online banking. Rest assured, all Adobo Connection meals are prepared by staff who strictly follow safety protocols. Moreover, our employees have been provided the needed housing and transportation support by Adobo Connection to ensure their safety and well-being in these times. As the nation faces its biggest healthcare challenge, you can do your part by supporting our heroes on the frontlines with a comforting, filling home-cooked meal.

For more information, check Adobo Connection’s  Official Facebook Page. Donations can be made through BDO. Culinactive Recipes Inc. BDO SA#00644-015-3764  Please message us on Facebook a copy of your proof of donation/deposit.

McDo Kindness Kitchen with healthcare staff of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center

McDo Kindness Kitchen with law enforcers in Las Pinas

Another good deeds through the project of Ronald McDonald House Charities, individuals and organizations may now help provide more meals for those in need. The charity of choice of McDonald’s Philippines opens the McDo Kindness Kitchen. For this program, McDonald’s Philippines pledges 50,000 meals to be served for medical health workers, police, LGU volunteers, government agencies and local communities. Since the announcement of the enhanced community quarantine, McDonald’s Philippines and RMHC have started supporting healthcare workers and other frontliners. Since March 15, more than 30,000 meals have been distributed to 40 hospitals and beneficiaries of local government offices within Metro Manila and Mindanao. Continuous support is being provided through the efforts of the company and its charity of choice as the distribution of meals is also extended to various communities that lack access to food.

Through McDo Kindness Kitchen, select restaurants of the QSR giant, dedicate the operations of their kitchens to prepare the meals of beneficiaries. Each McDo Kindness Kitchen produces 1,500 meals a day, prepared by restaurant crew and managers, and employee volunteers. Partner companies and institutions support the charity program in the mobilization and distribution of meals.

According to Ms Marie Angeles, RMHC Executive Director, “We continue to reinforce our commitment to make a difference in the lives of Filipinos by providing aid to Filipinos in need during this very challenging time. We also want to thank our partner companies, such as the ABS-CBN Foundation, Coca- Cola, and Angkas for providing transportation to distribute the meals.”

RMHC now accepts cash donations from individual and corporate donors who wish to support McDo Kindness Kitchen. By donating, one can cover costs for a meal worth 50 pesos per person; these meals are offered at cost. McDonald’s ABS-CBN was activated as the first McDo Kindness Kitchen last March 20 for ABS-CBN Foundation’ Pantawid ng Pag-ibig program. Together, over 17,000 meals have already been served to different communities. There are three other McDo Kindness Kitchen operating in Las Pinas, Cebu Escario and Makati.

McDo Kindness Kitchen ABS-CBN Team

Help provide meals for more frontliners and families in need. Donate now via online or bank deposit. Details at rmhc.org.pg/donate