The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), EAT, Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU), and Nutrition Connect have announced the top 15 winning solutions of the Dietary Shifts (DISH) Competition 2024, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at generating local culturally appropriate solutions for improved dietary practices and sustained food systems. This competition highlights the urgent need for nurturing and promoting sustainable dietary solutions that can also address the triple burden of malnutrition in Kenya where almost one in five children under five years of age are stunted, 26 % of the overall population is overweight and the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies of zinc, iron, vitamin A and Iodine is high.
The 15 winners of the DISH competition were selected from a pool of 454 applications received from across Kenya. They underwent a competitive evaluation process, assessed by a multidisciplinary panel of experts as jury. During the grand finale` event held at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi, the winners were honoured in the distinguished presence of officials from the Ministry of Health, leaders from the private sector, development experts, academics, and civil society representatives. Each winner was awarded USD 1000 and began a collaborative journey, supported by GAIN, EAT, FOLU, Nutrition Connect, to further develop their solutions. The competition is followed by two days of ‘Deal Room’ discussions where finalists will be guided by multidisciplinary experts to refine their solutions to create more holistic approaches to dietary challenges in Kenya.
Dr. Eva Monterrosa, Programme Lead Consumer Demand Generation, GAIN remarked: “The finalists of the DISH competition come from various backgrounds and offer different solutions from organic production of African green leafy vegetables to urban vertical gardens, to nutritious snacks for children. These local solutions can encourage healthier eating habits and support in ushering sustainable food systems in Kenya.”
The DISH Competition fosters innovative, locally relevant initiatives that encourage individuals in Kenya to transition to healthier diets, in line with the Planetary Health Diet (PHD). Developed by the 2019 EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, and Health, the PHD promotes nutritious food choices that benefit both human health and the planet.
Lujain Alqodmani, Chief Action Officer at EATadded, “Shifting towards healthy and sustainable diets, as outlined by the Planetary Health Diet, may seem complex, but it is made possible through the collective expertise, passion, and commitment of local actors. DISH provides a unique platform to hear directly from these leaders and to support the implementation of systemic solutions that protect both human health and the health of our planet.”
This multi-partnership initiative comes at a crucial time as Kenya strives to improve its nutrition outlook due to significant challenges posed by malnutrition.
Michael Onchabo, Director Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU), Kenya noted “Our food tells a story of tradition and resilience. Let’s embrace a dietary shift that honours our heritage while nurturing our health and our planet. Together we can cultivate a brighter, healthier future for all. Small changes in our diets can lead to big transformations not only in our food and land use systems but also in our health and the health of our planet. Let’s embrace a new way of eating for a better tomorrow.”
As we address malnutrition in Kenya, the DISH Competition symbolizes hope and innovation through partnership. By leveraging local expertise, we can develop sustainable solutions that improve diets and ensure access to nutritious food for all.