It Starts With a Meal™
TAKE ACTION TODAY TO END HUNGER TOMORROW. It starts with a meal. It leads to resilience, self-sufficiency, education, empowerment and bright futures in communities worldwide.
EDUCATION STARTS WITH A MEAL
We launched our It Starts With a Meal™ movement to share that the journey toward self-reliance and bright futures begins with a single nutritious meal. Our work often starts with a meal, and in partnership with ADRA Zimbabwe, our Planting Seeds for Strong Communities program has grown from an emergency school feeding program and developed into long-term food security and stimulated the local agricultural economy in Gokwe North, Zimbabwe. As a result, five partner schools in Zimbabwe are now cultivating school gardens to provide children with daily meals.
RECOVERY STARTS WITH A MEAL
Place of Hope is a community garden in Johannesburg. The garden harvests vegetables that are then donated to local early childhood development centers. Through the ECD Connect program, Rise Against Hunger Africa works alongside Place of Hope to provide nutrition for the children in the ECDs and support the surrounding community. By gardening a range of vegetables, such as carrots, onions, spinach, kale and tomatoes, Place of Hope is helping to reduce food insecurity, improve nutrition for children in ECDs, and cultivate community life and opportunities.
OPPORTUNITY STARTS WITH A MEAL
MorningStar is a level 4 Early Childhood Development Center in Johannesburg supported by Rise Against Hunger Africa’s ECD Connect program. MorningStar ECD started in 2008 with a passion to provide for and help children in an informal settlement area. With Rise Against Hunger Africa meals, children receive meals that nourish their bodies and support their education. MorningStar’s infrastructure has also flourished into a thriving space for 35 children ages 0-6, with a kitchen, outdoor area and multiple classrooms.
Planting Seeds for Strong Communities
Through our Planting Seeds for Strong Communities program, in partnership with ADRA Zimbabwe, five partner schools in Gokwe North, Zimbabwe, are now cultivating school gardens where parents and community members grow staple crops and vegetables to provide children with daily meals.
ECD Connect Program
In partnership with local partners and school leaders in communities across South Africa, our Early Childhood Development Connect Program ensures children between the ages of 0 and 6 have access to quality education and nutritious meals — paving the way toward brighter futures.
Real-Life Impact in South Africa
Mira Excels in School with Daily Nutritious Meals
Nutritious Food Supports Sharmaine’s Family in the Wake of a Typhoon
Our Trip to the Philippines with Zambrero: Highlighting How the Work to End Hunger Starts With a Meal
MEALPOWER
When we start conversations about the power and importance of a meal, it also reinforces the critical necessity of addressing food insecurity. Using #ItStartsWithaMeal on social media, share your favorite international recipe, the difference a single meal can make and how your friends and family can support the global hunger crisis.
TRY ALL THE #MEALPOWER RECIPES!
As a participant in our annual World Food Day Chef Showdown, a culinary battle royale between talented chefs and advocates for ending global hunger, Chef Nicole McLaughlin, producer and star of Allrecipe’s food series “You Can Cook That” and influence, prepared an Alabama Gatsby, a South African-inspired dish. Download the recipe cards to try your hand at making these globally-inspired dishes!
