Western Philippines University (WPU) continues to address student food insecurity through Kaén Tami – Kada Lunes et Kadedelman (Let’s Eat – Every Monday Morning), a feeding initiative that provides free, nutritious meals to students while helping ease their daily food expenses.

Launched on August 12, 2024, the program responded to concerns that some students skip breakfast because of early classes, limited allowances, long commutes, or lack of cooking facilities. Initially held every Monday morning at Palao Park on the WPU Main Campus, the initiative served 10,736 students in its first year and has since expanded to provide free meals up to three times a week through the support of sponsors and partners.

Among its major supporters is Green Lion Philippines, which provides additional meals through its Tuesday Free Lunch Program. The initiative also benefits from the involvement of the WPU Supreme Student Council (SSC), whose volunteers assist in meal preparation and distribution. Meanwhile, the WPU-DOST PCAARRD Paraoakan Project contributes off-type native Paraoakan chicken for arroz caldo, making productive use of underutilized agricultural resources while helping minimize food waste. These collaborations demonstrate how institutional programs, student participation, and external partnerships can work together to improve access to food.

Kaén Tami also recognizes the importance of providing meals that consider the diverse cultural backgrounds, dietary needs, and food traditions of the university community. For student beneficiaries, the program offers practical support beyond a free meal. Students have shared how it helps them stretch limited weekly allowances, save transportation expenses, and avoid returning to distant boarding houses during breaks. Access to meals on campus also saves time and allows them to focus more on their academic responsibilities while receiving nutritious food.

The initiative was initially championed by WPU First Gentleman Gilbert Liao, whose personal support helped establish the program in response to students’ concerns about food access. Its continued growth, however, reflects the collective contributions of university stakeholders, student volunteers, and external partners. Through Kaén Tami, WPU strengthens its commitment to student welfare by making nutritious meals more accessible, reducing the financial burden of food expenses, and fostering a supportive campus environment where students have better opportunities to learn and thrive.

[This article is in line with the SDGs 2, 3, 4, 10, & 17]