Many Filipinos still remember Nutribun — that soft, slightly sweet bread roll served in public schools decades ago. For countless children, it wasn’t just a snack; it was a symbol of care and community.
Today, that same legacy lives on through the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP). Each morning in public schools nationwide, freshly prepared meals and milk are served to learners who might otherwise face the day hungry. Every serving represents more than nutrition — it’s energy, focus, and a renewed chance to learn.
What Is the SBFP?
The School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) is a flagship initiative of the Department of Education (DepEd), institutionalized through Republic Act 11037, also known as the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act.
Its purpose is to improve the nutrition, attendance, and learning performance of undernourished public-school children through nutritious daily meals and milk.
Initially designed for “wasted” learners, the SBFP has since evolved into a nationwide nutrition safety net, now expanding to reach all Kindergarten learners by School Year 2025–2026.
From Feeding to Learning: Why SBFP Matters
When children are hungry, learning takes a back seat. A consistent feeding program helps ensure that no child’s potential is lost to an empty stomach. It can:
- Boost concentration – learners become more alert and responsive during lessons.
- Reduce absences – parents know their children are cared for at school.
- Encourage retention – students stay in school when their health improves.
- Build confidence – nourished learners engage more actively and positively in class.
The SBFP transforms classrooms into spaces of energy and growth — one meal at a time.
Who Benefits from the Program
The SBFP now reaches a wider range of learners:
- All public Kindergarten students (universal coverage beginning 2025).
- Wasted and severely wasted pupils from Grades 1–6.
- Vulnerable learners, including indigenous students and adolescent mothers, in priority areas.
Health screenings, teacher referrals, and nutrition status reports help schools identify children most in need of feeding support.
Components of the SBFP
The program combines several components to build a sustainable, community-supported model:
- Hot Meals – Freshly cooked, balanced meals served daily.
- Milk Feeding – Fortified milk or milk-based drinks for added nutrients.
- Micronutrient Supplements – Weekly vitamins for female learners to prevent anemia.
- Central Kitchens – Operated with LGUs and partners like the Jollibee Group Foundation for efficient preparation and distribution.
- Gulayan sa Paaralan – School gardens supply vegetables while teaching sustainable farming and nutrition.
Each element ensures that every meal reaches learners safely and consistently, while strengthening community ties.
Duration and Coverage
Currently, the SBFP runs for 120 feeding days per school year, with proposals to extend to 160 days beginning 2026.
In 2025, about 3.4 million Kindergarten learners and thousands of Grades 1–6 pupils are expected to benefit from the program across 44,000 public schools nationwide.
Budget and Support
The program is backed by a strong inter-agency network.
For 2025, ₱11.77 billion has been allocated, with a proposed ₱14 billion for 2026.
DepEd works closely with DOH, DSWD, local governments, and civic organizations to manage gardens, maintain central kitchens, and monitor nutrition outcomes.
From Global Commitment to Local Action
At the 2nd Global School Meals Coalition (GSMC) Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, the Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to universal school feeding.
DepEd Assistant Secretary Roger B. Masapol announced several major steps:
“Starting this year, we are reaching universal Kindergarten as part of our school-based feeding program.”
DepEd also partnered with the World Food Programme (WFP) to pilot a homegrown school-feeding model — using locally produced food to support Filipino farmers and strengthen supply chains.
Masapol further emphasized that the Department aims to extend universal coverage to Grades 1 to 3 in the coming years, fulfilling President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s SONA directive to combat early childhood malnutrition and Secretary Sonny Angara’s push for a broader, community-led SBFP.
Measurable Impact
The SBFP’s results are already visible in classrooms and communities:
- The number of “severely wasted” Kindergarten learners dropped from 113,451 to 47,281 in just one year.
- Teachers have observed better energy, alertness, and class participation among beneficiaries.
- Regions such as Cagayan Valley and Davao recorded up to 80% reductions in severe undernutrition after consistent feeding cycles.
Every improved statistic represents a child who can now focus, learn, and thrive.
2025 Reforms and What’s Next
Here’s what’s changing — and what parents and teachers can expect next:
- Universal coverage for all Kindergarten learners.
- Gradual expansion to Grades 1–3.
- Extension of feeding days from 120 to 160.
- Partnerships with the World Food Programme for homegrown meal sourcing.
- Institutionalized central kitchens in every Schools Division Office.
- Stronger nutrition education and parental engagement initiatives.
These reforms turn the SBFP from a short-term feeding effort into a lasting, nation-wide investment in child well-being.
How Communities Can Help
SBFP’s strength lies in collective effort. Local action keeps the program alive:
- Volunteer for meal preparation or gardening activities.
- Donate seeds, kitchen tools, or time through your local DepEd office.
- Join school committees that oversee transparency and nutrition reporting.
A single act of participation — planting a seed, serving a meal, checking attendance — helps sustain the future of millions of learners.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who qualifies for the SBFP?
All public-school Kindergarten pupils and identified wasted or severely wasted Grades 1–6 learners. - How long does the feeding last?
120 days per school year, with proposals for 160 days starting 2026. - Are meals free?
Yes. All food and milk are free under Republic Act 11037. - How are beneficiaries selected?
Through health screenings, nutrition assessments, and teacher referrals. - Can parents or the community participate?
Yes. Schools welcome volunteers to help prepare meals, maintain gardens, and monitor the program.
From Nutribun to the Next Generation
From the Nutribun rolls of the 1970s to today’s hot meals and milk cups, the goal has remained the same: to make sure no Filipino child studies hungry.
The School-Based Feeding Program carries forward a legacy of nourishment, compassion, and nation-building — proof that one shared meal can change a life, and one caring community can change the future.