Compact Food Solutions launches campaign to combat child stunting in South Africa
Raising a Nation: New initiative aims to improve child nutrition in vulnerable communities
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In South Africa, one in four children is growing up stunted, a hidden crisis caused by long-term undernutrition during the first 1000 days of life.
To help change this, Compact Food Solutions has launched “Raise a Life. Raise a Nation.”, a new campaign aimed at improving child nutrition in the country’s most vulnerable communities.
The project funds locally made Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplement – Medium Quantity (LNS-MQ) sachets for children aged six to 23 months. Each 50-gram sachet is produced at Compact Food Solutions’ manufacturing facility in Cape Town and provides about 255 calories packed with protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals.
Designed to meet World Health Organization standards, the supplement helps fill the gaps in a young child’s diet during the crucial early years of development.
At R10 per sachet, every donation supports one child’s nutritional needs for a day. Compact Food Solutions manufactures the sachets in Cape Town, while Food Forward SA, an audited partner, oversees distribution to vetted NGOs and early childhood centres. These organisations manage storage, caregiver support and reporting to ensure transparency.
The campaign’s pilot launched in late October with activations at Cape Town malls including Tygervalley, Cavendish Square and Canal Walk. Results from the pilot will be published once data on coverage and outcomes is collected.
Jenny Martin, Managing Director of Compact Food Solutions, said the initiative was inspired by South Africa’s sense of community and care.
“We know South Africans want to help and want their contributions to make a real difference,” said Martin.
“Our focus groups show that people genuinely want to help and they want their contributions to make a real difference.
"By partnering with trusted NGOs and maintaining full transparency, we ensure that every donation helps provide a nutritious supplement to a child’s meal, giving them the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.”
To support the campaign, donations can be made at www.raisealife.co.za.