Increased meal costs: Investing in better nutrition for children
Posted on March 26th, 2025 by Charles Grey
The Peninsula School Feeding Association (PSFA) remains steadfast in its mission to combat child hunger. Last year, we introduced an improved school feeding menu to further enhance the nutritional value of our meals. While this upgrade is essential for the health and development of our learners, it has increased feeding costs.
As a result, as of April 1, the cost to feed one child for a year (190 school days) has risen from R670.00 to R950.00, and the daily cost per child has increased from R3.53 to R5.00. The primary reason for this adjustment is adding additional nutritious ingredients, such as chicken livers, pasta, raisins, new soya flavours, and seasonal vegetables. These enhancements ensure that every meal is more balanced, diverse, and packed with essential nutrients.
Furthermore, we have increased portion sizes for primary and high school learners, ensuring they receive enough energy to focus and excel academically. Our commitment to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals remains unwavering as food prices continue to rise.
“Our goal has always been to provide not just food, but nourishment that supports the physical and mental well-being of the children we serve,” says Petrina Pakoe, Director of PSFA. “While the cost increase is significant, the impact on our learners’ health, concentration, and overall development makes it a necessary step. With the support of our donors and partners, we can continue making a meaningful difference in their lives.”
Your support is now more critical than ever. With your generosity, we can sustain and expand this vital programme, ensuring no child goes hungry at school. Together, we can invest in brighter futures for the children who need them most.
We hope you understand our situation and will continue standing with us in the fight against hunger.
