Did you know that we celebrate Food Conservation Month in January; Heart Month and National Arts Month

in February; Fire Prevention Month, National Womens Month, and Tax Consciousness Month in March; Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa and (hold your breath now) National Lung Month in August; National Science Club Month in September; National Childrens Month and Consumer Welfare Month in October; and Filipino Values Month in November? In the US, they mark Gay Pride Month each June of every year, a celebration dedicated to the pursuit of equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. So, what are we celebrating this month? Okay, shall we spill the beans but of course, figuratively speaking? Oh my gulay, its Nutrition Month! By virtue of Presidential Decree 491 (aka Nutrition Act of the Philippines), the National Nutrition Council is spearheading this nationwide celebration, now in its 38th year, that carries this very meaty theme: Pagkain ng gulay ugaliin, araw-araw itong ihain. Here are precious bits of info straight from the mouths of nutrition experts: What is the 2012 Nutrition Month celebration all about? The 38th Nutrition Month celebration underscores the importance of vegetables to increase vegetable consumption as part of a healthy diet to address micronutrient deficiencies and noncommunicable diseases, promote vegetable gardening as a source of additional food and income, and increase demand for vegetables to help local vegetable farmers. Why focus on vegetables? Nutrition Month focuses on vegetables for several reasons: Filipinos are eating less and less vegetables. From 145 grams per day in 1978, consumption has decreased to 110 grams per day in 2008. In terms of age groups, children six months to five years old consumed only a little amount of vegetables. Studies show that among the reasons for low vegetable consumption are: influence of family members who do not eat vegetables, dislike for vegetables because of taste and texture, cultural beliefs about vegetables, cost, preparation time, fear of chemicals.

School administrators, teachers and non-teaching personnel are enjoined to participate in the month-long celebration by undertaking activities which will promote vegetable consumption and production in the schools. The activities should also highlight the National Greening Program (Executive Order No. 26) focused on poverty reduction, food security, biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and Gulayan sa Paaralan Project by participating in tree planting and growing activities and establishing vegetable gardens.