This archive report was first published on 19 July 2019.
On July 19, 2019, Upfield, the manufacturer of Blue Band, marked the end of their schools' program at Magadi Primary School in Kisumu County, as part of their 'The Good Breakfast Campaign.'
The campaign, launched in 2016, aimed to reach over 2 million school children directly and indirectly, with a multiplier effect of approximately 6 million school children, parents, and guardians.
Since its inception, the campaign has been driving behavior change and teaching students the importance of a nutritious breakfast, with a focus on preparing a good breakfast that includes Blue Band spread on bread or porridge, fruits, and tea with milk.
As part of the program, students were provided with food diaries to record their daily breakfast routine at home with their parents and guardians, and were also involved in fun challenges such as reciting pledges and doing the Blue Band dance.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, at least 29.9% of children under five years have moderately stunted growth, and 13% are underweight due to inadequate nutrients for optimal physical and mental development.
Speaking during the school award ceremony, Marketing Manager at Upfield, Ms. Wanjiku Njonjo, said, 'When we first launched this campaign, we only targeted children in Nairobi and its environs, but later realized that there was a gap in the rural settings and potential to grow bigger and beyond to other counties.'
