South Africa tests potato-based meals to improve school nutrition – FreshPlaza

Report on Collaborative Efforts to Enhance School Nutrition in South Africa through Potato Integration

Introduction: Aligning with Global Development Goals

In observance of World Food Day 2025, South Africa has intensified its focus on collaborative strategies to combat food insecurity and enhance child nutrition, directly addressing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A key initiative, spearheaded by Potatoes SA in partnership with the Department of Basic Education (DBE), explores the integration of potatoes into the National School Nutrition Program (NSNP). This report details the project’s alignment with the SDGs, its implementation, and its potential impact on learners in low-income communities.

The initiative directly contributes to the following SDGs:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: By improving the nutritional value and cost-effectiveness of meals for schoolchildren to combat hunger and malnutrition.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: By providing essential micronutrients to support healthy physical and cognitive development in children.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: By enhancing learners’ focus, energy levels, and satiety, thereby improving their capacity for learning.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: By demonstrating a successful collaboration between industry (Potatoes SA), government (DBE), and local communities.

Addressing SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 4 (Quality Education)

The Challenge within the National School Nutrition Program

The NSNP is a critical intervention for achieving food security (SDG 2) among millions of learners. However, its efficacy is threatened by rising food prices and budgetary constraints, which challenge the provision of consistently nutritious and satisfying meals. Willie Jacobs, CEO of Potatoes SA, noted the imperative to provide nutrient-dense whole foods, stating, “The country cannot afford to feed children meals that leave them hungry soon after eating.” This gap directly impacts educational outcomes, a core target of SDG 4.

Project Methodology: A Proof-of-Concept Trial

To address these challenges, a proof-of-concept trial was conducted to assess the viability of incorporating potatoes into school meals. The trial was implemented in five schools across Gauteng:

1. Moses Kotane Primary, Soweto
2. Dulcie September Primary, Rabie Ridge
3. Kgabo Primary, Atteridgeville
4. Banareng Primary, Saulsville
5. Morakoma Primary, Mamelodi West

The reported outcomes from the trial indicated tangible improvements in learner focus, energy levels, and satiety, demonstrating a direct link between enhanced nutrition and the prerequisites for achieving quality education (SDG 4).

Nutritional Impact and Contribution to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

The project leverages the nutritional profile of potatoes to combat childhood malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, a significant public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa and a key concern of SDG 3. Dr. Carmen Muller, a nutritionist at the University of Pretoria, affirmed the scientific basis for this approach.

• Nutrient Density: Potatoes provide essential vitamins, minerals, and high-quality, easily absorbed protein.
• Cognitive Development: These nutrients are vital for supporting healthy cognitive development and can help mitigate micronutrient deficiencies.
• Meal Extension: Potatoes serve as a “meal extender,” enabling the program to stretch limited ingredients further while providing a food that learners enjoy.

Strategic Partnerships (SDG 17) and Future Implications

This initiative exemplifies the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration as envisioned in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The partnership between the potato industry and the education sector provides a scalable model for leveraging local agricultural resources to meet national development objectives. By incorporating a locally produced, nutrient-dense crop into a national feeding program, South Africa strengthens its efforts to achieve zero hunger and improve educational performance. As stated by Mr. Jacobs, “Good nutrition is the foundation of learning… potatoes can help us make every meal count, for every child, every day.”

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article’s primary focus is on addressing hunger and improving nutrition, particularly for children in South Africa. It discusses the National School Nutrition Program (NSNP), the challenge of providing nutritious meals, and the introduction of potatoes to combat childhood malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  A direct link is made between nutrition and educational outcomes. The article states that the initiative aims to “improve educational performance” and that “Good nutrition is the foundation of learning.” The trial results showed improvements in “learner focus,” which is essential for quality education.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article is centered on the collaboration between Potatoes SA (a private industry body) and the Department of Basic Education (a government entity). The theme “Hand in hand for better foods and a better future” and the description of the partnership to run a proof-of-concept trial exemplify the spirit of this goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.

    The article addresses this by focusing on the NSNP, which “provides daily meals to millions of learners in low-income communities,” directly aiming to ensure vulnerable children have access to sufficient and nutritious food.

  • Target 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition… and address the nutritional needs of… [children].

    The article explicitly states that “childhood malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies remain major challenges” and the partnership aims to “combat micronutrient deficiencies and support healthy cognitive development” by enhancing the nutritional value of school meals with potatoes.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.

    While not about physical infrastructure, the initiative contributes to creating an “effective learning environment.” The article argues that providing nutritious meals that improve “learner focus, energy, and satiety” is fundamental to ensuring children can learn effectively, making the school environment more conducive to education.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

    The entire initiative described is a “public-private” partnership. The collaboration between “Potatoes SA” (private industry) and the “Department of Basic Education (DBE)” (public sector) to conduct a “proof-of-concept trial” is a direct example of this target in action.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  • Number of learners receiving daily meals: The article mentions the NSNP provides meals to “millions of learners,” which is a direct quantitative indicator of the program’s reach.
  • Nutritional value of meals: The effort to enhance meals with “nutrient-dense” potatoes implies that the nutritional content (e.g., vitamins, minerals, protein) of school meals is a key indicator.
  • Learner satiety and energy levels: The trial’s reported results of improvements in “energy, and satiety” serve as qualitative indicators of reduced hunger.
  • Prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies: The goal to “combat micronutrient deficiencies” implies that measuring the rate of these deficiencies among learners would be a relevant indicator of progress.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  • Measures of learner focus and educational performance: The article states the trial showed “improvements in learner focus” and the overall goal is to “improve educational performance.” These can be measured through classroom observation, attention span tests, or academic results, serving as indicators of a more effective learning environment.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Existence and scope of public-private partnerships: The article’s detailed description of the partnership between Potatoes SA and the DBE, including the specific trial conducted in five Gauteng schools, serves as a concrete indicator of a functioning partnership aimed at achieving sustainable development.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: freshplaza.com