November 2017 – Almost everybody knows the famous saying “an apple a day, keeps the doctor away”. For Fruitas Holdings Inc. (FHI), this doesn’t just go as a simple reminder, rather an opportunity to lead the community into living a healthier lifestyle.
According to a study[1] conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), fruit consumption in Filipino households has decreased by as much as 50% since 1978. This means that families are partaking less of the health benefits that fruits can bring.
Recognizing this gap, Fruitas Holdings Inc. launched the “Fruitas Habit”—a nutrition program which aims to improve the health of Filipinos, especially the children, by educating them on the benefits of daily fruit consumption, and the numerous ways to enjoy eating fruits. Doing so, the company is poised to get Filipinos into the habit to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
The Fruitas Habit kicked-off with the awarding ceremony and exhibit of the Kids Fresh Art competition which took place earlier this year.
Kids Fresh Art
A nationwide inter-school art competition, Kids Fresh Art invited Filipino students to creatively illustrate images of how proper fruit consumption can improve the balanced diet of Filipino families. The culminating activity held on November 26 at Fisher Mall in Quezon City displayed an exhibit featuring the colorful artworks of children who participated in contest.
Taking first prize for the 7-12 category was Keveen Kence Wong SySuan of Chiang Kai Shek College while Harold Kevin Evardone Abrigon of Ramon Magsaysay High School bags the top prize for the 13-16 category.
The artworks of SySuan and Abrigon are featured on 22 oz. Fruitas cups available in all Fruitas branches nationwide – a way to truly recognize and share their creativity and artistic talent. Apart from this, they also took home prizes such as Php 5,000 worth of art supplies, Php 3,000 worth of cash, Php 1,000 worth of Fruitas Gift Cards, and free art classes.
“Filipinos need to be aware that they need to take fruits everyday to improve their health. The Kids Fresh Art event is a good way to introduce the Fruitas Habit movement to children, teachers, and families. It reminds everyone of the importance of fruits in our everyday diet, in order to ensure they get the needed vitamins and strengthen their immune system,” said Fruitas Marketing Manager Peter Carrillo.
Getting into the Fruitas habit
Apart from the exhibit, Fruitas Holdings Inc. invited several speakers who shared different insights on the benefits of proper fruit consumption. Young Bobby and Robby Morris of the MoCa Family Farm RLearning Center shared their four secrets on how to conquer their fear of trying new foods, specifically fruits. This includes eating food one doesn’t like with good company, like family and friends; taking at least three bites before saying “no”; combining food one doesn’t like with food they like to balance it out; and joining forces with another “picky eater” and supporting each other in trying out different food.
Registered nutritionist/dietitian and nurse, Armi Montano recommended parents to start introducing their kids to different fruits as early as possible, in simple ways like showing them around the fruit section in supermarkets. She also shared that parents can take advantage of the kids’ love for colors and find a way to make colorful fruits more appealing to them. Moreover, Montano introduced “Pinggang Pinoy” – a visual tool created by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) o help Filipino families adopt healthy eating habit through educating them on the right food group proportions per meal.
Meanwhile, Kaye Catral of Bento Mommas taught participants how to prepare creative and easy bento more convenient and fun for the family.
To begin getting into the Fruitas habit, FHI prepared a buffet of fruits at the event to encourage participants to experience the joy of consuming fruits. Moreover, as a way to show their full support and commitment to the program, participants were asked to speak out their pledges on the Fruitas Habit campaign.
Indeed, Filipinos can supercharge their nutrition and enjoy better health by getting into the Fruitas Habit. By adding a serving of fruit into one’s daily diet, amazing health benefits, improved well-being, and a healthier lifestyle can be achieved.
For more information on the Fruitas Habit and Kids Fresh Art contest, you may follow Fruitas on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FruitasShakes/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/fruitasshakes), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fruitasshakes/).
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Fruitas Holdings Inc. is the leading group in the food cart industry in the Philippines. Since its first stall opened in 2002, the group now has over 800 stores all over the country and close to 20 brands in its portfolio, which includes well-loved food concepts Fruitas fresh from Babot’s Farm, Fruitas Ice Candy, Black Pearl, Buko Loco, Juice Avenue, Friends Fries, the Mango Farm, Halo Halo Islands, Johnn Lemon, Shou Hand Pulled Noodles, Cindy’s Candy Cloud and Fancie.
For more information, you may visit: http://fruitasholdings.com/.
[1] http://fnri.dost.gov.ph/images/sources/food_consumption_households.pdf