In a household in Barangay Sambag II, Jeralyn lives with her two children. She is slicing up some vegetables. She’s not a professional chef, but today, her mission is to make her children eat vegetables without them noticing. 

Like many mothers, Jeralyn has faced the daily challenge of preparing meals that are both affordable and healthy, especially for picky young eaters like her children. But what makes her story different is how she turned this struggle into a small victory not just for her family, but for her community. 

In celebration of Nutrition Month, Jeralyn joined the RAFI-supported Barangay Nutrition Cooking Contest in Sambag II, Cebu City. With only ₱50, she created a winning snack: vegetable-infused French fries—crispy, delicious, and packed with nutrients. Her secret? Grating vegetables finely and mixing them into the batter, then frying them until golden brown. 

“It’s hard to make my kids eat vegetables,” Jeralyn admitted. “So I tried to make it look like their favorite snack. They loved it. They didn’t even know there were vegetables inside.” 

Her resourceful recipe won the hearts (and stomachs) of the judges, earning her the top spot in the contest. But more than the prize, it was the message behind the dish that resonated healthy meals don’t have to be expensive or complicated, they just need to come from the heart. 

Cooking Contests That Stir Up More Than Food 

Jeralyn’s story is just one of many that emerged from the 3-barangay cooking contest series held in Carreta, Mambaling, and Sambag II, co-implemented by Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI)’s Early Childhood Health and Nutrition (ECHN) program through its Sustainable Interventions for Nutrition and Growth (SINAG) alongside each barangay’s Nutrition Office. 

The activity aimed to raise awareness, build community commitment, and promote simple, nutritious cooking for families with young children. 

A Larger Problem, A Local Solution 

The urgency of these efforts can be shown by staggering statistics. According to the National Nutrition Survey, 1 in every 5 Filipino children under five is stunted. In Central Visayas alone, 38,060 children were found to be stunted in 2024, reflecting the harsh reality of food insecurity across 31.4% of Filipino households. 

But while the problem is alarming, stories like Jeralyn’s show that solutions can start small at home, in the kitchen, and in the heart of the community. 

Toward a Healthier Tomorrow 

The cooking contests serve as a prelude to the upcoming Community Launching this coming October, where each barangay will formally kick off programs focused on Early Childhood Health and Nutrition. 

RAFI’s vision is clear: 

• To rally community leaders in championing child nutrition, 

• To inspire parents like Jeralyn to lead by example. 

RAFI stands alongside parents and community leaders in championing children’s nutrition and building a shared commitment to healthier and happier futures for Cebu’s children. 

For Jeralyn, it began with a frying pan, a handful of vegetables, and a dream to nourish her children with healthier meals. For her community, it marks the beginning of a simple gesture made special through cooking, one recipe, one parent, one barangay at a time.