Across Borders: School Lunch in Africa

Two pioneers in making sure kids are provided with meals in school, Gene White and Namanga Ngongi, are working together to do the same for kids all across Africa. On May 6, White and Ngongi spurred health and agriculture officials from 22 different African nations to push for legislation to expand “home grown” feeding programs that will connect local farmers to schools, help prevent malnutrition and keep children, especially young girls, in school.

Currently, at least 50% of Africa’s farmers don’t grow enough food to feed even themselves, and 40% of their children are malnourished. With the potential to connect these farmers to schools in their communities, they can grow more and thus ensure that kids are receiving local, fresh food and that their own families aren’t going hungry. Moreover, having meals and lunches in schools helps to keep kids in schools, especially young girls who are at risk of being married off early. A regular, balanced and nutritious diet can make sure early development continues and that kids can go on to have healthy and active lives.

White, founder of the Global Child Nutrition Foundation, and Ngongi, president of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, know a thing or two about the importance of school meals. With the new accord agreed upon by the African nations, the work and tireless efforts they put into their own organizations can be realized across the continent, so that no child goes hungry and has the chance for a healthy and productive life. For more information, click here.

White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity Strives to End Childhood Obesity within a Generation

The White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity just released their report to the President which details the alarming trend of obesity currently in children and action steps that can be taken to end childhood obesity within a generation, that is to return the obesity rate to 1970s levels before it began to rise. Some of the steps involve initiatives that READS is currently pursuing, such as providing healthy foods in schools. Other steps are to improve nutritional education, lowering the prices of healthy foods, getting children more active through recess and bettering access to safe and secure playgrounds. You can read the full report by clicking here.