Feeding Nutritious meals to Children in our ECD

According to the South African Food Security Index 2024, developed by two economists from the University of Stellenbosch, food security is at its lowest point in over a decade.  

The Index evaluates four dimensions of food security, namely availability, access, utilisation and overall stability, from 2012 to 2023, and creates a baseline to measure food security in South Africa yearly using publicly available and annually updated data.  

ECD centers are designed to provide healthy nutrition, early learning, and good health for young children. The menu is a central planning document that determines the food to be purchased, the budget, and the staff needed

While South Africa peaked at 64.9 on the Index in 2019, this number dropped to 45.3 in 2023 (zero indicates severe food insecurity). It means that, on average, more South Africans experienced greater (deeper) food insecurity in 2023, compared to any other year between 2012 and 2023. 

Nutrition is a key part of Early Childhood Development (ECD) in South Africa, as it's essential for children's health and development. However, malnutrition and stunting are still serious concerns in the country.

The government provides a nutrition subsidy of R17 per child per day, with R6.80 allocated to nutrition. However, only registered or conditionally registered ECD centers serving poor children are eligible for the subsidy.

Luvuyo Centre forprovides meals to 106 children dailym, this consists of , breakfast, Lunch and mid day snacks

We request your continuned support in this regard to be able to reach more childrena dn be able to afford the cost of food price in South Africa.