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
In early 2022, Ukraine faced a refugee crisis due to ongoing conflict. In response to the crisis, we provided thousands of nourishing meal kits and supplies to those affected and displaced from their homes in collaboration with Rise Against Hunger Italia and other global partners. Meal kits contained pulses, grains, pasta, oil, dried fruit, canned goods, fruit juice, pre-packaged snacks, and baby food.
OPPORTUNITY STARTS WITH A MEAL
Michael, age 42, is a rice farmer living with his wife and two children in Malawi’s Karonga district. In 2020, he joined the Harvesting Prosperity and Resilience project, implemented in Malawi through a partnership with Rise Against Hunger and FOCUS. The project works to enhance the food and nutrition security of smallholder farmers in Malawi’s Karonga and Mzimba districts by improving food production, nutrition practices and incomes. With five kilograms of rice seed that he received through the project in 2022, Michael harvested 2,000 kilograms of rice and was then able to sell some of his harvests, earning the equivalent of $583. He plans to cultivate more land this year to increase his harvest even more. With dreams of being a role model in his village, he believes that his increased rice crop will enable that dream to become a reality.
Join the Celebration in Zimbabwe
Hope thrives alongside nutrition. 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. Give now to continue creating a positive impact for children in schools.
Nourishing Lives One Meal at a Time
As participants in the Planting Seeds for Strong Communities program for five years, Gokwe North, Zimbabwe residents have seen outstanding results: local school attendance increased by up to 35%, school meals are provided up to five times a week and local farmers support school feeding programs while earning additional income. Meet program participants in the Zimbabwe Celebration Series below.
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Real-Life Impact in Zimbabwe
Attendance Increased 35% at Five Schools in Gokwe North, Zimbabwe – Find Out Why
Meet Godfrey and Taurai, Two Impactful School Leaders in Gokwe North, Zimbabwe
The Impact of Climate-Smart Agriculture Training and Zai Pits in Gokwe North, Zimbabwe
Visit the Farms of Siphiwe and Pedro in Gokwe North, Zimbabwe!
Three Zimbabwe Farmers Build Resilience With Their Crop Yields
The Celebration in Zimbabwe Continues: Catch Up on the Story Series and Learn What’s Next
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!
In honor of the It Starts With a Meal movement, check out these special dishes from food and lifestyle influencers. Download the recipe cards to try your hand at making these globally-inspired dishes!
Red Star Yeast
Take part in the #itstartswithameal global effort on social! It Starts With a Meal is supported by a $50,000 donation from campaign sponsor, Red Star Yeast.
