Exploring Local Food Options and Student Discounts at Farmers Markets

Students from all over the Philippines often go to fast food places that don’t necessarily support being “sustainable.” These big companies are significant contributors to improper waste. Elmedulan et al. (2014) stated that the considerable volume of waste produced by these establishments threatens the environment and the health of the communities they serve. Furthermore, the area where De La Salle University is located has many fast food options that are accessible and available to its students. As these food joints market “student-friendly meals,” it is not the best choice regarding an individual’s diet and the environment. Financially speaking, factors such as income level and price range are some of the aspects that influence consumers' behavior, including their daily food choices. Financial influence is significant, especially for students living alone in dormitories and relying solely on the allowance provided by their parents. Howse et al. (2018) mentioned that if an individual has a low income or allowance, it dramatically affects their ability to choose various nutritious foods. A limited budget may lead to choosing foods with lower nutritional value, such as those in fast-food restaurants. Sogari et al. (2018) state that time restrictions, unhealthy snacking, convenience foods high in calories, stress, the high cost of healthy food, and easy access to junk food were common obstacles to eating healthfully. The cost of fast food compared to more nutritious options forces people with limited budgets to choose food that is not good for their health. Individuals compromise their well-being for financial reasons due to supplementary expenditures, additional costs, and a lack of affordable options for nutritious food.


Despite the prevalence of fast-food restaurants near the campus, numerous healthy and environmentally friendly alternatives are available within and beyond De La Salle University's vicinity. Some of the local restaurants near DLSU-M are restaurants such as:



These local dining establishments offer home-cooked meals at nearly half the cost of fast food chains and contribute to students' financial well-being. Opting for meals at these local spots saves money and promotes healthier eating habits. Furthermore, eating at local restaurants is sustainable and more nutritious because local restaurants often source the ingredients they use locally; this means there is little to no waste compared to the mass production of ingredients in prominent fast food places. This also reduces the carbon footprints that are associated with the transportation of goods. Supporting these businesses also fosters the community and contributes to the local economy. Students can enjoy nutritious meals while actively participating in environmentally conscious choices and supporting Filipino entrepreneurs' sustainable endeavors.


Furthermore, there is also the option for individuals to cook their meals. In doing so, farmers' markets often provide discounts to students, and purchasing ingredients to prepare homemade dishes can instill a sense of assurance because individuals know what they are consuming. Learning how to cook or developing cooking skills is considered a fundamental life skill that remains useful for individuals presently and in the future. Cooking can bring a sense of accomplishment and liberate individuals from guilt associated with excessive plastic use, and promote a more sustainable lifestyle. Additionally, unlike dining out, cooking meals allow individuals to make the food precisely to their tastes and preferences.


Urging for a Plastic-Free Campus: Sustainable Practices at DLSU Manila

According to the DLSU Sustainability report from 2019 to 2021, the De La Salle University Manila Campus has promoted environmental education and sustainability research, established sustainable facilities and operations, and ensured compliance with its values. As the university limits the use of plastics on campus, it is still crucial to remember that plastics have brought more harm than good. Here are a few reasons why plastics should be banned entirely on campus: 


Pollution is a major global issue; among these, plastic pollution stands out as a significant and rapidly escalating problem. The Philippines is experiencing the adverse effects of plastic pollution, which can be attributed to the fact that less developed countries sometimes lack or have ineffective waste collection systems. Additionally, in the last two decades alone, half of all plastics ever produced have been manufactured, marking a dramatic increase in production from 2.3 million tons in 1950 to a staggering 448 million tons by 2015 (Ritchie et al., 2023). According to UNDP Kosovo, the production of plastics has steadily increased over time, posing potential risks to human health due to the compounds found in plastics that can result in serious health issues such as endocrine disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance, reduced reproductive health, and cancer. Moreover, the topic of its harmful effects continues to be put off and disregarded by individuals. Parker (2024) showed that this exponential growth is projected to continue, with production expected to double by 2050 (para. 3). Thinking that the number of plastics around the world will double by 2050 is concerning since this amount is not anywhere near to the number of plastics the earth can handle.


Consequently, approximately eight million tons of plastic waste from coastal nations find their way into the oceans annually, equating to the staggering image of five garbage bags filled with trash laid along every foot of coastline globally (Hardesty & Wilcox, n.d.). Our ocean, a crucial habitat for Philippine marine life and a source of livelihood for fishermen, continues to face ongoing threats from pollution. Furthermore, plastics often contain additives that enhance their strength, flexibility, and durability; they can prolong the life of products when they become litter, with some estimates suggesting it takes at least 400 years for them to decompose (Ethique, 2023). Hence, using single-use plastics inside or outside the campus vicinity brings no positive outcome for the environment and humans.  



The adverse effects of plastics should be enough to be a calling for us Lasallians, whose actions should reflect the institution's values to promote sustainability and environmental activism. 


Encouraging the termination of single-use plastics extends beyond academic institutions; it is a vital practice for students to adopt in their daily lives, fostering a culture of sustainability. Bringing single-use plastics onto campus violates school policies and goes against Lasallian values by prolonging environmental harm and its consequential impacts. Even the seemingly insignificant use of one plastic straw can contribute to a more significant accumulation, leading to adverse consequences in landfills and oceans. Embracing a mindset of "it's only one" overlooks the harm such actions can cause. As Lasallians and members of a broader community, choosing sustainable practices aligns with our commitment to environmental responsibility.



References

DLSU 2019 - 2021 Sustainability Report https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/wpcontent/uploads/pdf/chancellor/cso/

  sustainability-report-2019-2021.pdf 

Elmedulan Jr. A., Militsa A., & Victoria M. (2014). Waste Management of Fast Food Chains in Ozamiz City, Philippines. https://www.multidisciplinaryjournal.com/pdf/waste_management.pdf 

Ethique. (2023, November 18). How long does plastic take to decompose: The 400-Year Reality. Ethique. https://ethique.com/blogs/behind-the-scenes/it-takes-400-years-for-plastic-to-break-down 


Howse, E., Hankey, C., Allman‐Farinelli, M., Bauman, A., & Freeman, B. (2018). ‘Buying Salad Is a Lot More Expensive than Going to McDonalds’: Young Adults’ Views about What Influences Their Food Choices. Nutrients, 10(8), 996. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10080996


Jetter, K. M., & Cassady, D. L. (2006). The availability and cost of healthier food alternatives. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 30(1), 38–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2005.08.039


Jambeck, J., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., Siegler, T. R., Perryman, M. E., Andrady, A. L., Narayan, R., & Law, K. L. (2015). Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347(6223), 768–771. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1260352 


Microplastics on Human Health: How much do they harm us? (n.d.). UNDP. https://www.undp.org/kosovo/blog/microplastics-human-health-how-much-do-they-harm-us#:~:text=Different%20chemicals%20can%20leach%20from,decreased%20reproductive%20health%2C%20and%20cancer.  


Parker, L. (2024, February 21). The world’s plastic pollution crisis, explained. Environment. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution 


Ritchie, H., Samborska, V., & Roser, M. (2023, December 28). Plastic pollution. Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution#:~:text=Plastic%20production%20has%20sharply%20increased,produces%20over%20450%20million%20tonnes. 


Sogari, G., Velez-Argumedo, C., Gómez, M. I., & Mora, C. (2018). College Students and Eating Habits: A study using an Ecological Model for Healthy behavior. Nutrients, 10(12), 1823. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10121823 


The world’s plastic pollution crisis explained. (n.d.). https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/worlds-plastic-pollution-crisis-explained/