Together the partners, Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Knorr SA announced the rollout of a partner programme to enhance the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) in 50 targeted government primary schools.

The programme will kick off in KwaZulu-Natal in the month of October 2022 with the intention to roll out to the rest of the country in the very near future.

The Plate of the Nation 2022 report findings revealed that the South African Plate remains consistent with the previous year with the largest portion of the South African plate consisting of:
  • carbohydrates
  • too much meat, and
  • not enough vegetables.
The report further revealed that the plates of young people replicate what their parents or guardians are eating daily. 

With the learnings from the Plate of the Nation study and the need to improve what South Africans eat daily, Knorr is working closely with the DBE to ensure that primary school learners are being provided with nutritious meals  — and are taught to establish and maintain good eating and healthier lifestyle habits from an early age.

Knorr says that it is going to assist the DBE with the training of the Volunteer Food Handlers to provide balanced nutritious meals for learners helping with the reduction of food waste from the preparation and cooking process.

According to Knorr, it is driven by its purpose, to change the world by changing what's on individuals' plates. The brand says that it wants to help the South African population move towards a better food future by educating, creating awareness and motivating citizens to eat in a way that's better for themselves and the planet.

Knorr is bringing its food and nutrition expertise to support the DBE and the NSNP with the training of the school Volunteer Food Handlers. Janine Van Rooyen, Unilever Nutrition Business Unit Director says that the team of Unilever Chefs will aim to educate and train the VFH on basic:
  • cooking skills
  • preparation
  • hygiene, and
  • how to use fresh ingredients to bring more flavour to the current balanced menu.

"Nutritional education is a vital factor, together with the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) we will support the DBE and the educators with resource materials to support the curriculum," adds Van Rooyen. "Combining Knorr products and activities, together with our partners we are able to support South African primary schools to provide tasty 'school prepared' meals that include plant-based proteins and vegetables."

According to Neo Sediti, the NSNP director at the DBE, "The NSNP is a pro-poor government programme aiming to reduce inequality and ensure learners receive nutritious meals to enhance participation in schools. The programme provides lunch meals to more than 9.5 million learners on school days."

To ensure that the programme succeeds, Knorr and DBE together with NSNP aim to utilise the following support pillars:
  • Train the volunteer food handlers from the selected schools.
  • Educate and create awareness where no school gardens are present assist to plant Ama-veggie gardens.

2022's World Food Day theme is focused on the state of food security and nutrition in the world and calls on us all to build a sustainable world where everyone, everywhere has regular access to enough nutritious food, to ensure that no one is left behind.

Schools are also encouraged to establish food gardens from which they obtain fresh produce (vegetables / fruit) and are also used as a teaching and learning resource and to beautify the environment. This initiative will also assist to improve the nutrient density of school meals and will assist in shifting the South African plate to include more vegetables.

For more information, visit www.unilever.co.za. You can also follow Knorr SA on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.