| This study examined the role of cooperatives in improving food and nutrition security in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, highlighting their contributions across the components of the sustainable food system - production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste management. While cooperatives empower smallholder farmers by enhancing inclusivity and bargaining power, challenges such as limited capital, market access, and policy gaps hinder their full potential. In addition, the imbalance in development interventions, with more focus on production and processing, limits the effectiveness of increased production on food and nutrition security. The experience in Oriental Mindoro offers valuable lessons for national policy, suggesting that targeted interventions and reforms are needed to leverage cooperatives as effective institutions for improving food and nutrition security in the Philippines. This study recommends consolidating efforts among farmers, cooperatives, local government units, private sector, and development organizations, strengthening micro cooperatives through mergers and collaborations, gathering comprehensive data, building private sector partnerships, and implementing trade policies to protect local producers, especially in island provinces like Oriental Mindoro. |