Starting kids early on Zest-O aims to instill the value of art and nutrition through its programs

Some time out from my usual gadgetry posts, I was recently invited by Zest-O to one of their on-going reach out programs.

When it comes to instilling values in children that will help them become productive citizens of the country, it is always best start them young.

Supporting this belief, Zest-O Corporation—the country’s leading manufacturer and distributor of first-ready-to-drink juice drink and other food products—has come up with projects that would help young children realize this.

Recently, Zest-O focused on launching programs that promote the importance of being healthy.  Working closely with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Education (DepEd), Zest-O has launched its Zest-O Healthy School Program.

Through its healthy lifestyle campaign,  children in different elementary schools are given the chance to engage in activities. During the school visits, children will learn the value of eating healthy and nutritious foods.

This program, said Zest-O marketing manager Christian Lim, aims to promote the importance of healthy lifestyle in school-age children by encouraging them to eat the right sets of nutritious foods.

The “Zest-O Healthy School Program” is an on going program which is simultaneously held in various schools in Metro Manila and in nearby provinces. “What we want is for children to learn that being healthy starts with eating healthy and nutritious foods,” Lim added.

Children in various elementary schools will be treated into a whole-day of fun-filled activities. With the help of mascots, children will be given information on the importance of eating the right foods at the right time as well as the nutrition that they can get from the foods that they eat.

 Lim mentioned that the use of mascots is very crucial to get the attention of the children. “We did this because kids can easily be distracted. We feel that we can effectively convey the message of the program, which is eating healthy and nutritious foods, by incorporating fun and play during the school visits,” he explained.

The program also aims to target the teachers as well as the parents of the children. “We believe that kids cannot do it alone that is why we also want to get the participation of the parents and their teachers,” he said.

Zest-O will be bringing in professionals such as doctors and nutritionists to explain to the parents and teachers the value of healthy lifestyle and eating in the development of children.

Apart from educating kids on eating healthy and nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables, the concept of recycling will be incorporated during the whole-year school visits. During the activities, kids will have a chance to taste of healthy and nutritious foods and will be given healthy drinks—the Zest-O juice drinks which come in yummy fruit flavors like orange, apple, grape, and pineapple.

Lim said that Zest-O juices are packed with Vitamin C and are proven to have the lowest sugar content compared with other brands in the market.  

On its fifth week, the “Zest-O Healthy School Program” will visit various schools in Caloocan, Quezon City and Manila.