Objectives
This study examined the public-private partnership trough the development of a desk calendar and green tag scheme classification implemented by FNRI-DOST and Robinsons Supermarket for promoting wellness among Filipino grocery customers.
Methods
A reader feedback survey form was developed and used to gather data on the profile of the participants and attributes of the 2013 full color desk calendar which featured fruits in season. Attributes included uses, relevance, simplicity and appropriateness of language, amount of information and general acceptability rating, consumers’ level of awareness, and tendency to buy Green Tag products. The reader feedback survey form enclosed in the calendar was distributed among supermarket customers in all Robinsons Supermarket branches nationwide. A total of 2,011 customers from its branches in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were participants of the study. Data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages. For multiple responses, the total number of respondents was used in computing for the percentages.
Results
More than half of the participants perceived the FNRI (62.6%) and RSC (59.2%) as credible sources of food and nutrition data in the Philippines. The calendar was reported to have been used as a guide in planning family meals (34.4%), as reference material (34.2%), and as an update on food and nutrition topics in the Philippines (16.0%). In terms of layout design, majority of the respondents viewed that the calendar is “appropriate” (78.4%), with “relevant to very relevant” (86.9%) theme, with “just enough” information, used simple and appropriate language, and contained appropriate and easy to understand featured recipes.The green tag marks foods as “healthy” if they individually pass at least three or more conditions based on the Codex Guidelines for Use of Nutrition and Health Claims. The survey showed that more than half of the respondents were aware (63%) and have used (57.9%) the Green Tag products, but their knowledge on the health benefits of the products in the shelf was low (25.5%).
Conclusions
A 20-page desk calendar and green tag classification scheme was developed and implemented by the FNRI-DOST and RSC in the Philippines. The results showed that the desk calendar is a potentially good vehicle in promoting nutrition among the general public.
