The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), EAT, the Food & Land Use Coalition (FOLU), and Nutrition Connect have officially launched the Dietary Shifts Competition (DISH) 2024. This competition aims to drive critical dietary changes in Kenya and Indonesia, addressing the triple burden of malnutrition, which includes undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies, while also tackling environmental and climate challenges.
The statistics highlight the urgency: 23 million Kenyans are undernourished, with 18% of children under five stunted, 5% wasted, and 10% underweight. Meanwhile, 17% of women and 4% of men aged 20-49 are obese. In Indonesia, 10.9% of adult women and 6.3% of men face obesity, while 24.4% of children under five are stunted and 11% are wasted.
The DISH Competition encourages food system stakeholders to submit proven, evidence-based solutions that promote healthy and sustainable dietary practices. Each country will select 15 innovative solutions aimed at addressing the unique nutritional needs of their populations. Submitted solutions should align with national health and nutrition guidelines. Participants will collaborate with government, private sector, and civil society experts to build transformative partnerships that lead to lasting, impactful dietary shifts.
Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director of GAIN, emphasized the need for innovative approaches, saying, “We make dozens of decisions about what to eat each day. Unfortunately, many of these choices are unhealthy. We want to hear from anyone with a creative, out-of-the-box idea on how to nudge people towards healthier options.”
The competition seeks locally viable and actionable solutions that encourage healthier eating habits, in line with the Planetary Health Diet—a global reference diet introduced by the 2019 EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health. This diet provides flexible recommendations that can be tailored to local contexts while promoting optimal health and environmental sustainability.
Lujain Alqodmani, Chief Action Officer at EAT, highlighted the power of collective expertise: “Shifting towards healthy and sustainable diets, as proposed by the Planetary Health Diet, may seem daunting, but it’s achievable through the passion and commitment of local actors. DISH offers a platform to hear from these leaders and support solutions that protect both human health and the environment.”
The competition offers five categories for participation, including Policy and Advocacy, Advertising and Culturally-Relevant Strategies, Food Service Interventions, Culinary Skills, and Product-Level Interventions. Entrepreneurs, companies, policymakers, chefs, communication experts, and other food system actors are invited to submit their solutions by October 31, 2024.
Michael Onchabo, Director of FOLU Kenya, reinforced the connection between diet and sustainability, stating, “Small dietary shifts can lead to big changes in our food and land use systems, improving both health and the environment. Let’s embrace sustainable eating today for a healthier tomorrow.”
Finalists will receive a USD 1,000 award, recognition on global platforms, national and international media exposure, mentorship from experts, and networking opportunities. The 15 finalists from each country will also have the option to compete in Phase 2 of the competition in 2025, showcasing their solutions on global stages.
The competition coincides with the release of the DISH Report, which outlines the dietary challenges in Kenya and Indonesia, including political barriers, economic constraints, lack of government support, poor infrastructure, and cultural influences.
For more details on the DISH Competition, visit the official website.
