Kellanova, a finalist in the Best Corporate Category of the CSI Legacy Awards, exemplifies the transformative potential of corporate social responsibility through its innovative Better Days Promise Gardens programme. Launched in 2024, the initiative demonstrates Kellanova’s commitment to addressing food insecurity in South African communities by promoting sustainable solutions that empower schools, households, and individuals to tackle hunger effectively.
Under the leadership of Corporate Affairs Director Zandile Mposelwa, Kellanova has adopted a focused strategy for enhancing social impact. The Better Days Promise initiative has flourished under her guidance, providing over 7 million meals annually through its school feeding programme and exceeding 58 million meals over the past decade. Building on this solid foundation, the Better Days Promise Gardens programme was introduced to ensure sustainable food production while fostering skill development among households and institutions in KwaThema Springs.
The initiative currently supports three schools and 300 households of children benefiting from Kellanova’s school feeding programme. Participating households receive resources and training to establish 16-square-metre residential gardens, while each school is equipped to create a 200-square-metre garden. These efforts have been pivotal in reducing hunger and instilling a sense of empowerment and ownership among participants. By teaching sustainable food production skills, the programme reduces reliance on food donations, enabling communities to grow their own food and even generate income through surplus produce sales.
Since its inception, the Better Days Promise Gardens initiative has made a remarkable impact. It has reached 3,408 beneficiaries, who have collectively harvested an impressive 285,000 kilograms of vegetables, equating to nearly 3.8 million servings. The programme has also created employment opportunities, with four community members receiving monthly stipends to assist in garden maintenance and skill transfer to participating households. Additionally, 2,651 children have gained invaluable nutrition education linked to the gardens, equipping them with lifelong knowledge of sustainable practices and healthy diets.
The initiative’s alignment with South Africa’s National School Nutrition Programme highlights its importance in addressing systemic challenges. The vegetables harvested from the gardens enrich children’s school and home meals, significantly improving their nutritional intake. This, in turn, enhances their concentration, attendance, and academic performance while supporting their physical and cognitive development.
The programme has received glowing feedback from stakeholders, including school principals and parents, who acknowledge its long-term benefits for their communities. For many, the gardens represent more than a source of sustenance; they symbolise resilience, hope, and the promise of a brighter future. Some households have already experienced increased income from selling surplus vegetables, while parents and guardians take pride in contributing to their families’ wellbeing. School principals have commended the initiative for improving students’ welfare and fostering a more vibrant and supportive school environment.
Kellanova’s recognition as a finalist in the Best Corporate Category for the 2025 CSI Legacy Awards highlights the innovative and impactful design of the Better Days Promise Gardens. This initiative stands as a testament to how corporates can address societal challenges through sustainable, deliberate interventions. By empowering communities to take ownership of their food security, Kellanova sets a benchmark for corporate social responsibility that prioritises sustainability, collaboration, and long-term impact.
Looking ahead, Kellanova plans to expand the Better Days Promise Gardens to include additional schools and households in Tsakane, Daveyton, and Duduza. The next phase will support 180 households, each receiving a Garden in a Box containing everything needed to grow vegetables for a family of four for a year. The company also aims to broaden the programme’s reach by partnering with key stakeholders, including customers and suppliers.
This initiative reflects Kellanova’s overarching mission to build a legacy of social responsibility that goes beyond immediate relief, fostering self-sufficiency and resilience within communities. The Better Days Promise Gardens serve as a powerful example of the lasting impact sustainable, community-driven initiatives can achieve, reinforcing Kellanova’s position as a deserving finalist in this year’s CSI Legacy Awards.
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