In light of alarming food poisoning incidents across Gauteng and Limpopo, the Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA) and its partners hosted a crucial two-day programme, the Schools Food Environment Assembly, aimed at improving food safety and nutrition in South African schools.
This transformative event saw a congregation of industry experts, government officials, activists, and academics at the Anew Hotel in Boksburg on October 9 and 10, who engaged in vital discussions regarding the country's inadequate food procurement processes within schools and spaza shops.
The assembly, marked by impassioned speeches, delved into the unethical tactics employed by major food corporations that hinder the full potential of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP).
Concerns were raised about misleading packaging, pricing strategies disconnected from reality, and the overarching impact of flawed practices on the health of school children.
Among the notable contributors was HEALA CEO Nzama Mbalati, who helped set the tone for the discussions. Highlighting the importance of the NSNP, which supports more than nine million beneficiaries across 21 000 schools, Mbalati underscored the impact of recent budget cuts on the programme's efficacy.
He expressed grave concern over rising rates of stunting and obesity among children, stating, “Food is at the centre of this crisis and unhealthy food is the main driver of this scourge.”
In a captivating keynote, Professor Scott Drimmie from Stellenbosch University emphasised that while the NSNP has indeed lifted learners out of poverty, various innovative opportunities remain untapped.
In a poignant comparative analysis, Brazilian food and nutrition activist Giorgia Russo highlighted the successes of her country’s National School Feeding Programme (PNAE), established in 1995.
Russo detailed how Brazil has prioritised local farming and created opportunities for thousands of nutritionists while implementing systemic food monitoring through school feeding councils.
“Brazil prioritises and supports family farming through Rural Technical Assistance and the Food Procurement Programme,” she said.
The assembly concluded with a hoped-for roadmap towards action; HEALA aims to partner with government bodies, the Department of Basic Education, and other stakeholders to enhance the existing nutritional landscape for children, ensuring the overarching goals of the NSNP are fully realised.
As Mbalati articulated, “It is in our hands to create a better food environment for South Africans.”
Saturday Star