“Kapag fresh flowers, nalalanta. Iyan (vegetables) after Valentines’, pwede pa nilang lutuin iyan, pwede pa nilang kainin.”
ARE you looking for a healthier and fresh twist to the same old Valentine’s Day gifts like a flower bouquet or a box of chocolates?
How about gifting your loved one with a bouquet of vegetables?
This and other unique gift items like “love baskets” of fruits or eggs have been “specially prepared” at the Department of Agriculture (DA) Kadiwa store in Quezon City for lovers looking for a healthier alternative.
Jefferlyn Obillo, a Kadiwa store seller, said consumers might surprise their loved ones with locally produced vegetables arranged as bouquets at a very affordable price.
“Ngayon pong Valentine’s [Day], mas maganda pong bumili ng gulay. Mayroon pong broccoli, sayote, carrots and beans (This Valentine’s Day, it’s better to buy vegetables. We have broccoli, chayote, carrots and beans),” she said.
Likewise, Juliet Labrador, 51, a representative of the farmers’ association at the Kadiwa store, urged lovers to try the “healthier and more practical” gift idea.
“Instead na flowers and chocolates, dapat maging healthy food na lang tayo, maging practical. Kapag fresh flowers, nalalanta. Iyan after Valentines’, pwede pa nilang lutuin iyan, pwede pa nilang kainin (Instead of flowers and chocolates, we must have healthy food, be practical. Fresh flowers wilt. After Valentines’ Day, vegetables can be cooked and eaten),” she said.
Buyers may either avail of the readily prepared fruit basket or customize a gift of their own using local fruits available, including banana, pomelo, mango and pineapple.
Labrador said they could even add organic eggs and shrimp paste to their healthy love basket.
Besides supporting local farmers through the Kadiwa stores, the DA also urged Filipinos to give rice instead of roses on Valentine’s Day.
Agriculture Undersecretary Roger Navarro said rice is sweeter than flowers.
“Ang dapat iregalo natin sa ating mahal sa buhay sa Valentine’s Day ay bigas; huwag na ‘yung flowers kasi hindi makain iyon. Matinik pati kasi ang rosas, pero matamis ang bigas (A gift we should give to our loved ones is rice, not flowers because they are inedible. Roses are thorny too, but rice is sweet),” he said. PNA
KEY TAKEAWAYS
– Healthy gift alternatives: The story promotes healthier gift options like vegetable bouquets, fruit baskets and rice instead of traditional flowers and chocolates.
– Kadiwa initiative: The Department of Agriculture’s Kadiwa store in Quezon City offers these unique gift ideas, supporting local farmers.
– Affordable and practical: These gifts are presented as both affordable and practical, with the benefit of being edible and supporting local producers.
– ‘Rice is sweeter than flowers’: Agriculture Undersecretary Roger Navarro encourages Filipinos to give rice as a Valentine’s Day gift, highlighting its practicality and sweetness compared to flowers.
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Credit belongs to : www.manilatimes.net/