How can small-scale farmers and ECD centres work together to improve nutrition in their communities?

In August 2025, the Southern Africa Food Lab, together with eThekwini Health (Food Security), eThekwini Agroecology, and Stellenbosch University’s Nutrition Division, hosted a workshop at the Inchanga Agroecology Hub. The gathering brought farmers, Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners, researchers, and government officials into dialogue around a central question: how can small-scale farmers and ECD centres work together to improve nutrition in their communities?

This workshop marked a significant moment in the ongoing Woza Nami (“Come with Me”) project. Since 2020, the initiative has been testing ways to strengthen local food systems through agroecological farming and resilient food environments. With support from the DG Murray Trust, recent research revealed both opportunities and challenges: while many smallholder farmers in Inchanga grow diverse crops, they face barriers in supplying institutions such as ECDs. At the same time, children in ECDs often eat meals dominated by starch, with limited fruit, vegetables, or dairy — despite being surrounded by potential sources of fresh produce.

Insights from the research

The study showed that farmers themselves struggle with dietary diversity, achieving an average Dietary Diversity Score of 4.4 (below the recommended 5). While stunting rates among children at participating ECDs were relatively low (9.1%), overweight prevalence was concerning (12.8%) — reflecting South Africa’s “double burden” of malnutrition, where both under- and overnutrition exist side by side.

ECD managers reported challenges ranging from insufficient funds and delayed subsidies to children rejecting unfamiliar foods. Meanwhile, farmers highlighted issues of scale, water access, and lack of formalised marketing channels. Most strikingly, the research confirmed a complete absence of direct procurement links between ECDs and local farmers, even though both operate in the same communities.

Learning from practice

Participants heard from organisations already working to bridge these divides.Thanda shared their model of structured farmer mentorship and guaranteed markets, which has kept 85% of vegetables produced within their community.

Zero2Five described their integration of fortified meals, growth monitoring, and food gardens across hundreds of ECDs, where gardens become both a nutrition source and a classroom for children.Both examples demonstrated that with the right systems of support, small-scale farmers can reliably supply ECDs while also strengthening local food security.

Dialogue into action

Over two days, workshop participants explored practical solutions. Discussions centred on:

• building trust and communication between farmers and ECDs;
• coordinating production to ensure variety and steady supply;
• supporting ECDs to establish and sustain food gardens;
• raising nutrition awareness among parents, children, cooks, and even vendors outside centres.

Simple, locally grounded ideas emerged: farmers using receipt books to meet audit requirements; WhatsApp groups for crop coordination; starting small with familiar crops like spinach; and cooking demonstrations to build acceptance of new foods.

Looking forward

The workshop underscored that strengthening food systems is not only about infrastructure or funding, but about relationships. Farmers discovered that ECDs are open to local procurement. ECD managers learned that farmers are willing to adapt and supply. Government officials heard directly about the barriers to collaboration.

By creating space for dialogue, the workshop revealed the potential to transform ECDs into community nutrition hubs — places where food production, nutrition education, and child development intersect.

The process is incremental, but the seeds of systemic change are being planted. As one farmer reflected, “Our fresh produce is better than the store’s — it comes straight from the garden.” The challenge now is to turn this potential into lasting partnerships that nourish children, support farmers, and build resilient local food systems.

Read the full workshop report here.