School Nutrition Improvement Project

About the Program

The School Nutrition Improvement Program tackles malnutrition among school-aged children through comprehensive, school-based interventions. Operating in 14 schools in Iringa region (Iringa DC and Iringa MC), the program reaches 8,614 students and actively engages 457 community members to create sustainable improvements in child nutrition.

By integrating nutrition education, hands-on gardening, health assessments, and local advocacy, we empower students to make healthy food choices and become nutrition ambassadors in their families and communities.

Empowering schools and communities to improve child nutrition through integrated interventions: awareness education, nutrition clubs, school gardens, advocacy, and student assessments.

Our Activities

Five core components drive our school nutrition improvement model.

Nutrition awareness education

Interactive sessions for students and teachers on dietary diversity, balanced meals, and the importance of nutrients for growth and learning.

Nutrition clubs

Student-led clubs that meet regularly to discuss nutrition, prepare healthy snacks, and lead peer-to-peer awareness campaigns.

Schools garden management

Hands-on training in establishing and maintaining school vegetable gardens, providing fresh produce for school meals and learning by doing.

Advocacy at LGAs level and Community

Engaging local government authorities and community leaders to prioritize school nutrition, allocate resources, and support child health policies.

Students nutrition assessment

Regular measurement of height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference to track nutritional status and identify at-risk children early.

Program Outcomes

Measurable changes we achieve through integrated school nutrition interventions.

Improved Nutrition Knowledge among students

Adoption of healthy eating behaviors

Strengthened student engagement in nutrition promotion

Increased availability of nutritious foods in schools

Improved Monitoring of students’ nutritional Status

Enhanced capacity of schools to promote nutrition

Increased Community and Local Government support for school nutrition

Strengthened community awareness on child nutrition

Impact in Numbers

Our reach and scale across the region.

14

Schools Covered

8,614

Students Reached

457

Community Members Engaged

Advocacy & Community Engagement

Sustained change requires local ownership. We work with Local Government Authorities (LGAs), village leaders, and parent-teacher associations to embed school nutrition into district plans and budgets.

Our advocacy impact

Allocation of LGA funds for school garden tools and seeds

Inclusion of nutrition indicators in school health reports

Community dialogues on child feeding practices

Engagement of community health workers in nutrition screenings

This multi level approach ensures that schools receive sustained support and that nutrition remains a priority beyond the project lifespan.

Monitoring Student Nutrition

Regular assessment is key to early intervention. Trained teachers and school health coordinators conduct termly nutrition screenings for all students.

Anthropometric measurements: height-for-age, weight-for-age, BMI
MUAC screening: mid-upper arm circumference to detect acute malnutrition
Referral pathways: children identified with malnutrition are linked to health facilities and supplementary feeding programs
Data-driven decisions: aggregated school data inform garden planning and menu improvements

This systematic approach ensures no child falls through the cracks and that interventions are tailored to actual needs.

School Gardens as living classrooms

Our nutrition clubs take the lead in managing school gardens. Students learn sustainable agriculture techniques companion planting, composting, water conservation while producing vegetables that supplement school meals.

These gardens become a source of pride and a practical tool for teaching mathematics, science, and entrepreneurship alongside nutrition.