Daily TribuneThe BLT Program is the largest network of centralized school feeding kitchens in the Philippines that provide meals to thousands of pupils.
JGF’s FoodAid taps the Jollibee fastfood network in providing hot meals to disaster victims.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF JGF
Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the social development arm of the Jollibee Group, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with plans to expand its food security program and partnerships to serve more communities across the country.
“Our 20th year isn’t just a celebration of what we’ve done — it’s a launchpad for even greater impact ahead,” JGF president Gisela Tiongson says.
Since its inception in 2004, JGF has worked alongside over 500 local and international organizations to co-develop sustainable solutions addressing hunger and food insecurity.
“Through our programs — whether providing meals, supporting farmers, or helping students stay in school — we’ve worked hand in hand with our partners to build resilience, spark hope, and create lasting positive change,” says Tiongson.
One of JGF’s flagship initiatives is the Busog, Lusog, Talino (BLT) Program. Launched in 2007, BLT supports public school children at risk of dropping out of school in their primary grades due to hunger. Over the years, the program addressed the limitations of existing feeding efforts, such as inadequate infrastructure, limited capacity, and fragmented delivery systems that made scaling difficult.
JGF introduced the centralized School Feeding Kitchens in 2016 that streamlined operations, reduced inefficiencies, and enabled the program to grow more sustainably. Serving multiple schools at once, these kitchens ensure meals are prepared safely, consistently, and efficiently. The model complements the Department of Education’s School-Based Feeding Program, which was institutionalized in 2015.
Today, the BLT Program is the largest network of centralized school feeding kitchens in the Philippines. Since 2007, it has reached over 270,000 pupils and established 41 kitchens across the country.
JGF also provides food to disaster victims through its FoodAID program, which mobilizes the Jollibee Group’s vast store network to quickly deliver hot, enriched meals to families affected by fire, floods, typhoons and other calamities.
Meanwhile, JGF’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) helps smallholder farmers transition into agro-entrepreneurs through training, mentorship and access to institutional markets. Since 2008, FEP has accredited 34 farmer groups, that have collectively supplied over 13 million kilos of fresh produce to the Jollibee Group — generating more than P700 million in additional income for smallholder farmers.
“The FEP has enabled farmers to increase their productivity, lower production costs, and secure stable incomes,” Tiongson says.
Local government units (LGUs), cooperatives, micro-finance institutions and community-based organizations help JGF provide direct support to farmers and help ensure FEP’s success on the ground. They include the LGU of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija; Ahon Sa Hirap, Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Sacred Heart Saving Cooperative, the Department of Science and Technology’s PCAARRD, Central Luzon State University, and Mariano Marcos State University. Collaborations with these institutions offer farmers access to consultations and innovations that enhance farming practices.
In addition, over 500 farmers have been trained by Dutch nonprofit PUM Netherlands in modern farming techniques, soil health and sustainable agriculture — laying the groundwork for climate-resilient farming communities.
JGF’s commitment to inclusive growth also extends to youth. Through the Access, Curriculum, and Employability Scholarship Program, over 3,100 students have received scholarships and employability training. Partnering with institutions like the Don Bosco-One TVET Philippines equips young Filipinos with life skills and livelihood opportunities that open doors to better futures.
For over two decades, JGF has built and expanded a strong network of partners —including government agencies, non-government organizations, academic institutions and local organizations — working together to improve food access and community resilience nationwide. These partnerships have enabled JGF to scale its initiatives from localized efforts into nationwide programs that impact thousands of lives.
