Every day somewhere in the world, a special day is celebrated. Some are light-hearted, but today’s is important as it speaks directly to our mission: International School Meals Day.
At Ladles of Love, nutrition is at the heart of everything we do. While many people recognise the idea of ‘eating right’, it remains surprising how few fully understand the link between good nutrition, health, and overall well-being.
This gap exists everywhere, whether in wealthy suburbs or vulnerable townships, and it is rooted in a lack of education around the true power of nutritious food to change lives.
Nutrition is not guesswork; it is science. And for children, the science is clear: to grow, learn, and thrive, they need the right foods, in the right portions, consistently. This is not only a South African challenge; it is a global one.
The 2025 Global Education Monitoring Report highlights significant concerns:
- Large gaps in global education and nutrition policies prevent schools from fully supporting children’s health.
- Education systems across the world are failing to deliver adequate food literacy, despite the clear link between nutrition and cognitive development.
- The report calls for urgent action because education systems should be empowering children with lifelong healthy eating habits.
We welcome every awareness day that shines a light on nutrition, because the need for education is immense. Our work with community women has shown us first-hand how deep the crisis runs, not because caregivers do not care, but because they have never been given the information they need. When basic education systems fail to address nutrition, how can families be expected to know better?
This week, our Ladles of Love warehouse in Epping is buzzing with purpose as we prepare for our Nourish Our Children programme training event. We are proudly hosting 298 preschool principals and teachers, all coming together to learn more about the importance of good nutrition and how to implement our meal plans effectively. Their willingness to learn and their commitment to the children they serve fills us with hope.
Thank you for supporting us and making this work possible. With full hearts, we invite you to continue walking with us as we change the narrative around nutrition, one child, one classroom, and one community at a time.
With immense gratitude,
Danny Diliberto
Founder & CEO and the Ladles of Love Team ❤️
