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As part of a proof-of-concept, Potatoes SA has partnered with select primary schools in Soweto, Thembisa, Mamelodi, and Atteridgeville to understand how best to re-integrate potatoes into a school’s menu plan.
The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) provides nutritious meals to learners, primarily in poorer schools, to improve their ability to learn and focus in class. The NSNP aims to combat malnutrition, reduce hunger, and boost school attendance and the overall wellbeing of our future generations.
Potatoes SA is aligned with the NSNP and aims to enhance the feeding scheme programme by including the humble but supreme potato on learners’ plates at least once a week. While still a work in progress, the initial outcomes of this proof-of-concept have yielded positive results from both educators and learners.
Energy, focus, and satiety
Educators have mentioned that the learners are energised and more focussed in the classroom with a higher turnout than normal for meals, while anticipating the next plate with potatoes included.
Those involved in meal preparation are thrilled with the addition of the potato as they assist in adding much needed variety and taste to the meal plan. “Our learners are now enjoying soya mixed with potatoes and they enjoy this combination as it makes the soya thicker and keeps them fuller for longer.”
For those learners who do not eat tinned fish, the potato has become a great protein alternative. While potatoes are not a primary source of protein, they do provide an adequate amount along with various valuable vitamins and minerals. Learners who are lactose intolerant are now also able to substitute milk with mash potatoes as part of the morning meal.
The next phase includes further collaboration with nutrition specialists from the Department of Basic Education who have already identified potatoes as a great source of energy, an immune booster, and assisting in reducing high blood pressure and the risk of chronic diseases.
With potatoes, learners are able to eat less ‘bad’ starch and more ‘good’ starch. Potatoes are indeed a key source of nutrition for our next generation! – Michelle Thackwray, Amakonekxin
For more information on the programme, send an email to Dirk Uys at dirk@potatoes.co.za.