The Slow Plate South Africa initiative aims to provide meals to primary school children through the network of gardens from the 10 000 gardens project within close proximity to Primary Schools.
Utilizing the resources of Chef's Alliance and Chefs with Compassion the training programs equips gardens and food handlers to produce healthy, nutritious and balanced meals which fits into the National School Feeding Scheme Program.
Priorities and Targets
- Work with existing food gardens in near proximity to primary schools.
- Teach gardens on the principles of 10 000 Gardens in Africa and educate on Ark of Taste (indigenous food crops) .
- Using trench gardening techniques for climate resilient, soil regenerative small-scale farming.
- Low tech water systems for food gardens.
- Natural pest and disease control.
- Multi cropping with indigenous foods and using principles of companion planting for more productive, abundant crops.
- Natural pest and disease control.
- Working with the network of chefs in CHEFS WITH COMPASSION train educators and food handlers on how to prepare healthy meals for children using produce from local food gardens that are under mentorship of the 10 000 Gardens program.
- Preparing menu plans for schools and food handlers with easy-to-follow recipes.
- Workshops to discover the importance of ARK OF TASTE indigenous foods and how to eat them.
- Ensure that nutritious meals are provided at the costs stipulated by National Feeding Scheme.
- SLOW PLATE is designed to teach children that growing your own food makes you a HERO .
- Schools will be assisted in establishing SFYN FOOD GARDEN CLUBS.
- Any age qualifying #sfynHEROES will also be eligible to apply for entry into UNISIG to study a Bachelor of Gastronomic Sciences.
Current Roll Out: Alexandra (Gauteng) & Masiphumele (southern Cape)
Expansion: January 2022 – Mpophomemeni to Caluza (KZN)
Anticipated Further Expansion: January 2023 – Greater Giyani (Limpopo), Greater Kutsong (Free State), Marikana & Surrounds (North West)