The Inani Foundation launched a processing plant to produce a nutritious cereal for underprivileged children in Springs on Tuesday.
“Our research indicates that 1.7 million South African children under the age of five suffer from silent hunger or chronic malnutrition.
“This means they have access to food but not to nutrients,” said Org van der Wath, executive director of Inani StartWell Foundation.
Through the plant, van der Wath aims to sustainably manufacture and sell nutrient-dense morning meals at pioneering low costs which will serve up to 200 000 toddlers from poverty-stricken communities.
A total of 27% of South Africa’s population of 6.5 million younger than the age of five can be considered to be stunted.
Stunting is the impaired physical growth and delayed cognitive development that occurs when children fail to reach their height-for-age growth, predominantly due to a poor nutritional diet during the first 2 000 days of their life.
After years spent in the corporate sector, van der Wath and his wife, Yolandi, were ready to do something they considered more meaningful.
Childhood nutrition quickly became a cause for concern.
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“I visited a school in the Cape Flats. The women making breakfast for the children were volunteers from the same community.
“When it was time to dish up, the women lovingly poured maize meal pap in containers, with a thick layer of sugar,” explained Yolandi.
It was this experience that propelled the couple to invest in creating a meal that will not only fill tummies but provide optimum nutrition for growing children.
“Often, feeding schemes provide meals fortified with soya to increase the protein content.
“However, many food scientists question whether soya as a primary protein source can contribute to a poor child’s chronic shortage of essential growth nutrients.
“In addition, soya is a double-edged sword as it has a bitter taste and requires sugar as a mask.
“The reality in South Africa is that as long as sugar addition to morning meal recipes aimed at growing children is not regulated, these cheap energy-rich and nutrient-poor meals will remain the go-to option,” explained van der Wath.
StartWell is a nutrient-rich cereal developed through a partnership between food scientists and dieticians from the University of Stellenbosch, the University of Cape Town and the North-West University over a period of about three years.
It was designed by Simone van Niekerk, a food scientist from CFAM Technologies.
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At a cost of R2 for a 35g portion, the cereal will deliver around 85% of a toddler’s daily protein needs.
The meal is also said to carry the precise vitamin and minerals required to support child growth.
“Inani StartWell’s business model is not focused on creating wealth for shareholders.
“The focus of the ready-to-eat meal recipes is on the growing child’s needs, rather than looking at shareholder interests.
“This non-for-profit business model is what makes us unique,” explained van der Wath.
The cost of the construction of the 2 500m² plant was R11-million.
It will manufacture 200 tons of cereals every month and will employ 30 workers.
Van der Wath emphasised that the whole community has a big role to play in the roll-out and sustenance of the project.
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