Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) officially launched the 2026 leg of its I Love Veggie-Licious® (ILV) Caravan at the Dapitan Sports Complex in the City of Manila, gathering mothers, homemakers, community leaders, and nutrition advocates for a fun-filled and educational experience that promotes healthier eating habits through the joy of cooking and vegetable consumption.
Participants were welcomed into an energetic and family-friendly atmosphere featuring educational booths, interactive games, and community activities designed to make learning about nutrition both meaningful and enjoyable.
327 homemakers from the City of Manila joined in the fun through learning the facts from the myths regarding nutrition and MSG.
The event also featured a live cooking demonstration, showcasing easy-to-prepare vegetable dishes enhanced with umami, the savory taste that helps bring out the natural flavors of ingredients. The session showed how simple cooking techniques and thoughtful ingredient choices can make vegetables more appealing without sacrificing taste.
According to the 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) of the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), Filipino adults consume 58 grams (g) or less than 1 cup of vegetables and 17 grams (g) or less than ¼ of a small-sized fruit daily versus the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of 400g, combining vegetable and fruit consumption.
The ILV Caravan aims to inspire Filipino families to incorporate more vegetables into their daily meals by making nutritious, accessible, and tasty dishes. As APC’s mother campaign, this movement contributes to the Ajinomoto Group’s 2030 roadmap, the realization of two outcomes: extending the healthy life expectancy of one billion people while helping reduce environmental impact by 50%.
By equipping communities with practical knowledge and encouraging positive food habits, the Caravan seeks to create lasting behavioral changes that can support healthier lifestyles for future generations.
In his welcome remarks, APC President Daizaburo Koga emphasized the importance of collective efforts in promoting better nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices.
“Over the years, we have had the privilege of working with local government units and communities in Quezon City, Lucena, Alaminos, San Jose Del Monte, Santa Rosa, and Pasig.
Hand in hand, we have reached thousands of homemakers by sharing simple ways to prepare nutritious meals that every family can enjoy. These solid partnerships remind us that change begins when communities come together with a common goal,” Mr. Koga shared.
To date, the I Love Veggie-Licious® program has partnered with several local government units (LGUs), including Quezon City, Pasig, San Jose Del Monte, Sta. Rosa, Lucena, and Alaminos, strengthening efforts to promote balanced nutrition and healthier food choices. By partnering with LGU’s and providing accessible learning opportunities, APC continues to support its vision of helping Filipinos enjoy both good health and good food.
I Love Veggie-Licious® aims to empower mothers and homemakers with practical nutrition insights and innovative culinary tips to create healthier and nutritious vegetable dishes for the family.
As the program expands to more communities nationwide, it hopes to inspire even more families to discover that healthy eating can be simple, enjoyable, and full of flavor. Through every recipe shared, every lesson learned, and every vegetable served, the campaign reinforces a powerful message: nutritious meals can become a delicious part of everyday life.
The City of Manila marks the first stop of this year’s I Love Veggie-Licious® Caravan, with four more community locations set to be visited as the leg continues. With the continued support of local government partners, community stakeholders, and participating families, APC remains committed to fostering healthier communities — one veggie-licious meal at a time.
