Modeling an edible garden in a workplace in the Philippines

Poor diet, partly due to low vegetable, consumption is a risk factor to metabolic diseases. Vegetable intake of Filipinos declined from 1978 to 1993 and only slightly increased from 2003 to 2013 as reported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) in 2013. Vegetable gardening can potentially improve diet quality that may help alleviate metabolic diseases. DOST-FNRI collaborated with a private seedling company on project 'Oh My Gulay! sa FNRI' (Oh My Vegetables! in FNRI) in modeling an urban garden in the workplace. It aimed to set-up an urban edible garden and encourage vegetable consumption among DOST-FNR1 employees. The descriptive research included reasons for buying the garden's produce, among others. An edible garden of 397 z in FNRI grounds was planted with vegetables. Nutrition information boards on these vegetables were placed. Promotion efforts included garden tour for DOST-FNR visitors, national media coverage, postings in FNRI online sites, and project presentation to DOST Regional Directors and National Nutrition Council (NNC)'s Food Gardening Congress. After harvest, vegetables were sold to FNRI and DOST employees. There were 105 harvest days from June 2017 to August 2018. Out of 1,123.42 kg of vegetables harvested ,007,182 kg (89.65%) were bought by FNRI and DOST employees with total sales of PhP 40,519.18 (USD 747.17) from 89 buyers. The remaining 116.235 kg (10.35%) served as promotional items. Partner private seedling company conducted trainings on vegetable planting among selected FNRI employees and DOST employees. Technical assistance from DOST-FNRI's partner and vermicompost donations from Villar Foundation ensured the garden's sustainability. Maintaining the edible garden in the workplace resulted to the vegetable habit of employees as evidenced by their patronage of vegetables. Among trained employees, several started their edible gardens at home. The 0MG! sa FNRI is now being adopted by several DOST Regional Offices. Modelling an edible garden in FNRI can be a sustainable initiative that can help address metabolic diseases.