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Enhancing Nutrition and Cost Efficiency in Kenyan School Meals Using Neglected and Underutilized Species and Linear Programming: A Case Study from an Informal Settlement

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  • Ilaria Proietti

    (School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla, 3, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Irmgard Jordan

    (Food Environment and Consumer Behavior, Bioversity International, Via di San Domenico, 1, 00153 Rome, Italy)

  • Teresa Borelli

    (Food Environment and Consumer Behavior, Bioversity International, Via di San Domenico, 1, 00153 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS)—locally available, climate-resilient species—possess significant nutritional, social, and environmental benefits, yet their use, research focus, and market presence have diminished over time. Incorporating NUS into school meal programs can potentially boost childhood nutrition, promote healthy eating, encourage sustainable food production, preserve food culture and heritage, and support biodiversity conservation. School meals offered in Kenya are often monotonous and nutritionally inadequate. We conducted a case study on a school in an informal urban settlement in Nairobi, targeting students between ages 6–12, to demonstrate how incorporating locally grown, nutrient-dense foods into school meals can result in better nutrition for school-age children, while making significant savings for schools. Using the World Food Programme’s School Meal Planner (SMP) PLUS software, the school meals offered were analyzed for nutrient adequacy and optimized including five NUS: African nightshade ( Solanum spp.), spider plant ( Cleome gynandra ), Bambara groundnut ( Vigna subterranea ), bonavist or hyacinth bean ( Lablab purpureus ), and slender leaf ( Crotalaria spp.). The optimization process was based on the commodity price fluctuations and nutrient composition of the local agrobiodiversity used. The study results show how NUS are a viable and healthy alternative to meet the recommended daily nutrient needs for school-aged children at affordable prices. The tool results showcased the effectiveness of linear programming in enabling national decision making for efficient school feeding program planning, by designing comprehensive, affordable food baskets using local agrobiodiversity. Future research should explore implementing optimized school menus while examining broader aspects, such as school lunch environmental impacts and direct procurement approach opportunities that source local ingredients from smallholder farmers.

Suggested Citation

  • Ilaria Proietti & Irmgard Jordan & Teresa Borelli, 2025. "Enhancing Nutrition and Cost Efficiency in Kenyan School Meals Using Neglected and Underutilized Species and Linear Programming: A Case Study from an Informal Settlement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2436-:d:1609420
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sumberg, James & Sabates-Wheeler, Rachel, 2011. "Linking agricultural development to school feeding in sub-Saharan Africa: Theoretical perspectives," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 341-349, June.
    2. Tiange Liu & Sherryl Broverman & Eve S. Puffer & Daniel A. Zaltz & Andrew L. Thorne-Lyman & Sara E. Benjamin-Neelon, 2022. "Dietary Diversity and Dietary Patterns in School-Aged Children in Western Kenya: A Latent Class Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-12, July.
    3. repec:cdl:econwp:qt22d8g11r is not listed on IDEAS
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