The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2022 has named Kenyan nutritionist Wawira Njiru, founder and director of nonprofit Food for Education, recipient of the Icon Award 2022.
The Icon Award celebrates an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the food world worthy of international recognition and who has used their platform to raise awareness and drive positive change.
With an estimated 80 percent of children in Kenya not receiving a school meal, Njiru believes no child should have to learn on an empty stomach. After majoring in food science, she founded Food for Education in 2016, at first making 25 meals a day. The organization now feeds 40,000 children daily, providing nutritious meals to those in schools across Kenya, helping to boost attendance at primary level and combat hunger. It has delivered over seven million meals to date, leading to improved nutrition, academic performance, and higher high school transition rates.
By sourcing fresh food directly from farmers, Food for Education has also been able to help stimulate the local economy. Meals are prepared in a central kitchen to internationally recognized food safety standards, while the subsidized meals are delivered to students with the aid of cutting-edge sustainable technology. During the pandemic, the organization also provided food packages and cash transfers that delivered over two million meals to children and their families at home due to COVID-19.
Food for Education uses Tap2Eat, a digital mobile platform whereby parents can pay for the subsidized lunches. The amount is then credited to a virtual wallet linked to an NFC smart wristband, which students can wear and use accordingly, meaning no cash transfers and no lost money. Njiru hopes to expand the program across more of Kenya and potentially beyond.
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