As South Africa confronts a deepening food insecurity crisis, Kellanova South Africa — formerly Kellogg’s — has partnered with the National Department of Agriculture to mark World Food Day 2025 with a large-scale community outreach in KwaZakhele, Gqeberha. The initiative forms part of the company’s long-standing campaign to improve access to nutritious meals in vulnerable communities.
More than 139,000 meals are being distributed as part of the collaboration, underscoring Kellanova’s continued investment in addressing hunger and promoting food security at a time when over 21% of South African households face food shortages, according to Statistics South Africa.
Long-term commitment to school nutrition
The partnership builds on Kellanova’s decade-long presence in the Eastern Cape through its Better Days School Feeding Programme, which provides breakfast to 11,780 learners at 15 schools in Gqeberha every school day. The company says its approach focuses not just on short-term food aid but on supporting education outcomes and building sustainable community resilience.
“Hungry children cannot concentrate in class, and this has devastating long-term consequences,” said Philip Nieman, General Manager at Kellanova South Africa. “Our mission is to ensure that no learner starts their day hungry. This World Food Day, we reaffirm our commitment to creating better days for communities across South Africa.”
Since its launch in 2014, Kellanova’s feeding programme has provided over 62 million meals to learners in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal. The initiative has expanded to include the Better Days School Gardens, which supply fresh vegetables to more than 4,600 children and train families in home gardening to promote household food production.
A national priority
The collaboration with the Department of Agriculture highlights the importance of public–private partnerships in advancing South Africa’s food security agenda. The department’s involvement signals growing recognition that corporate sector initiatives can play a critical role in bridging gaps in community nutrition, particularly as government resources remain strained.
Kellanova’s long-term strategy also aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2 — Zero Hunger, positioning the company as one of the private sector leaders actively contributing to national and global anti-hunger targets.
Beyond food relief
The company’s sustainability approach links food access with broader themes of equity, diversity, and environmental responsibility. Globally, Kellanova aims to create “Better Days for 4 billion people by 2030,” advancing equitable access to food while reducing environmental impact.
In South Africa, that ambition translates into measurable local impact — from daily school meals to the empowerment of families who can now feed themselves.
As the country continues to battle rising living costs and hunger, initiatives like Kellanova’s remind us that combating food insecurity requires more than donations — it demands long-term partnerships, systemic change, and sustained investment in people.
For more on Kellanova’s food security initiatives, visit www.kellanova.com.
