NEW YORK — Filipino cuisine has gained another milestone as chicken tinola has officially been introduced into Hawaii’s Farm to School program, according to a report by GMA News.
The initiative, which serves thousands of public school students daily, seeks to provide healthier meals while encouraging children to enjoy more fruits and vegetables. Tinola, a ginger-based chicken soup typically cooked with papaya or chayote and leafy greens such as bok choy, is packed with nutrients including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as potassium and fibre.
The Hawaii State Department of Education said the program is being expanded, noting the scale of student meals served each day. “Hawai‘i public schools are one of the state’s largest institutional consumers of food products, serving over 100,000 student meals a day. The Department continues to work closely with local vendors statewide to see how fresh local produce can be scaled across all schools in the future on a regular basis,” it said in a statement.
The Philippine Consulate in Honolulu welcomed the addition of tinola to the menu, highlighting the deep ties between the Filipino community and Hawaii. Consul General Arman Talbo pointed out that about one-fourth of Hawaii’s population is of Filipino descent, making the move culturally significant.
“We welcome this move to include Filipino food in school meals in Hawaii,” Talbo told GMA News. “The expanding popularity of our cuisine in the islands shows the depth of our cultural contribution.”
Talbo also announced that Filipino Food Week will be held next month, coinciding with Filipino American History Month. More than 20 restaurants across Hawaii and American Samoa are expected to feature Filipino dishes from October 18 to 25, providing both locals and tourists with opportunities to experience traditional flavours.
