FOOD BANKS: A SOLUTION TO FOOD INSECURITY

FOOD BANKS: A SOLUTION TO FOOD INSECURITY

It seems hunger, like poverty, never takes a holiday. Every day, millions of Filipinos go to bed without enough to eat — not because there isn’t enough food, but because there isn’t enough fairness in how it’s shared.

That’s why the story of Canada’s first-ever free grocery store caught my attention. Located in Regina, Saskatchewan, and run by the Regina Food Bank, it looks just like any supermarket — shelves neatly stocked with fresh produce, dairy, and staples. The only difference? Everything is free. Families can “shop” for up to $200 worth of groceries every two weeks, choosing what they actually need rather than receiving pre-packed boxes. It’s a dignified approach to fighting hunger — and one that we, in the Philippines, can and should learn from.

The concept is simple but profound: hunger relief with dignity. Instead of making the poor line up for food aid or rely on handouts, it gives them back the freedom to choose. In Regina, one in eight families faces food insecurity. Here at home, that figure is worse — according to the World Food Programme, nearly 26% of Filipino families experience food insecurity, with rural and urban poor households hit hardest.

So could the “free grocery store” model work in our country? I believe it could — and it should.

We already have the legal and moral infrastructure to make it possible. The Philippine Food Bank Foundation, established in 2017, has been quietly collecting and redistributing surplus food from restaurants, groceries, and farms. The Rise Against Hunger Philippines movement and Gawad Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga feed thousands daily. And let’s not forget the community pantries that bloomed nationwide during the pandemic — a people-powered proof that compassion can be decentralized and spontaneous.

If these efforts were woven together — supported by LGUs, guided by the DSWD and DTI, and incentivized by the BIR — we could create a nationwide network of community grocery stores where food security is not charity, but a civic right.

I say this with conviction: such a project should not be owned by the government. Once politics enters the grocery aisle, fairness exits through the back door. Instead, these stores should be operated by accredited non-profit organizations — preferably cooperatives or social enterprises — supported but not controlled by the government. LGUs could provide the spaces; the DSWD could handle beneficiary validation; and the DTI and BIR could extend tax incentives to encourage private donations.

And yes, those incentives are already in place. The National Internal Revenue Code (Section 34H) allows deductions for donations made to accredited donee institutions. BIR Revenue Regulation 13-98 and Republic Act 8424 further grant donor’s tax exemptions, provided the recipient is certified by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC). That means companies donating food — or even logistics support — can legally reduce their tax liabilities while feeding the hungry.

The private sector should see this not just as corporate social responsibility, but as corporate moral responsibility. After all, how can any business thrive in a society where millions of customers are too hungry to buy?

But sustainability is key. We must go beyond “relief” and integrate livelihood programs — for example, partnering with local farmers and fisherfolk through the Sagip Saka Act of 2018 (RA 11321). Instead of dumping imported goods, food banks could buy or barter surplus harvests from Filipino producers, ensuring both supply stability and local income.

The success of the Regina model lies not only in its shelves but in its spirit. It redefines charity as empowerment. It turns dependence into participation. It normalizes compassion.

Why not try this at the barangay level? Imagine every municipality having at least one “community food hub” — part grocery, part food waste recycler, part training center for nutrition and sustainability. LGUs could partner with supermarkets for surplus recovery, tech startups for inventory systems, and local volunteers for daily operations.

During the pandemic, we proved we can feed each other without waiting for bureaucrats. Why not sustain that same bayanihan energy now, in more structured and lasting ways? Hunger is not an emergency we respond to once a year — it’s a disaster we must fight every day.

As the Americans say, this Canadian invention might just be “the greatest thing since sliced bread.” But I’ll add my own twist: maybe the greatest thing since sliced bread… is sharing it fairly.

If we can turn leaves into paper bags, plastic into school chairs, and waste into resources, then surely we can turn compassion into food — and food into hope.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com 04-01-2026