The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) has launched a dietary shifts competition (DISH) competition to find solutions to the food insecurity in Kenya & Indonesia.
The competition consists of 5 categories for participation including policy and advocacy, advertisement and cultural strategies, food services intervention, culinary skills, and project-level interventions.
Food system stakeholders are encouraged to come up with solutions that encourage positive dietary shifts in the country.
According to GAIN, 23 million Kenyans are undernourished while 18% of children under age five are stunted, 5% are wasted, 10% are underweight, 17% of women, and 4% of men (20-49 years of age) are obese.
The Executive Director at GAIN Lawrence Haddad encouraged participants to submit innovative, evidence-based out-of-the-box ideas that promote healthy and sustainable dietary changes.
“Too many of us choose unhealthy dietary options, even when we know better. Over time, these decisions are harmful to us and the ones we love therefore if you can help us move these decisions towards health, we want to hear from you,” he said.
The competition seeks to bring Kenya’s dietary habits in closer alignment to the Planetary Health Diet, the global reference diet which seeks to emphasize a plant-forward diet where whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes comprise a greater proportion of foods consumed.
Chief Action Officer at EAT Lujain Alqodmani said that shifting towards healthy and sustainable diets as outlined by the Planetary Health Diet may be perceived as being complex, but it was 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,” she said
The finalists of the competition include an appreciation award of USD1000 each, recognition at key global platforms, national and international level media coverage; mentorship with subject matter experts; and networking with like-minded participants for knowledge sharing.
The 15 finalists from each country will also have the option to enter Phase 2 of the DISH Competition in 2025 for further shortlisting and showcasing of the winning entries at global events and platforms.
Participants are encouraged to submit their solutions by October 31, 2024.
By Cedric Karungaru
