Quezon City Implements Healthy Public Food Procurement Policy to Promote Nutritious Meals for All

In a move to strengthen the health and nutrition of its residents, the City Government of Quezon City has reaffirmed its commitment to provide healthier meals in public institutions through its landmark Healthy Public Food Procurement (HPFP) policy. The policy mandates that all food and food supplies procured by city offices, hospitals, schools, shelters and other government-run facilities comply with the city’s nutrition standards for healthier diets.

The HPFP policy, first issued as Executive Order No. 16 in 2021 under the leadership of Mayor Ma. Josefina “Joy” Belmonte, has become a flagship initiative of the city’s drive to tackle non-communicable diseases and ensure that public funds are spent on nourishing, sustainable food.

Key provisions of the policy include:

Ensuring meals provided under city programs use fresh, whole foods, minimize processed foods, and avoid artificial trans fats, excessive sodium and added sugars.

Prioritizing local sourcing of healthy food ingredients and supporting urban farms and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Quezon City.

Applying the nutrition standards and procurement rules to all city departments and suppliers working with government-funded food services.

For Quezon City University, the HPFP policy presents a strategic opportunity to deepen its engagement in nutrition, food systems, sustainability and community health—areas already aligned with the university’s institutional priorities. Through its partnerships with local government, its urban agriculture initiatives and its teaching and research in engineering, IT, entrepreneurship and education, QCU is well positioned to support the implementation, monitoring and extension of the policy. For example, the university’s Center for Urban Agriculture and Innovation (CUAI) can serve as a source of fresh local produce, student-led research and pilot demonstration of healthy meals.

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