By Heather Buzuzi
MUTARE – In communities where access to healthy and nutritious food is increasingly becoming a challenge, empowering young people with knowledge about food safety, nutrition and healthy cooking is emerging as a critical tool for building healthier societies.
Over the past few weeks, youths from Sakubva, Dangamvura and Chikanga have participated in nutrition and food safety training program organized by the Manica Youth Assembly (MAYA) under a project managed by Hivos and implemented through a consortium led by Green Governance Zimbabwe.
The trainings were held separately in the three suburbs, with the latest session taking place in Chikanga on Friday, bringing together young people eager to learn how food choices affect their health and wellbeing.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to build inclusive and climate-resilient urban food systems by empowering youths with practical knowledge and skills that can improve nutrition at household and community levels.
During the sessions, participants were taken through various topics including healthy eating habits, food safety practices and nutritious cooking methods. The training also highlighted the importance of using locally available foods to prepare balanced meals.
A nutrition expert from the Ministry of Health and Child Care led discussions on malnutrition, explaining that the condition can affect people who do not consume enough food as well as those whose diets lack essential nutrients.
Participants learned about the health risks associated with both undernutrition and obesity, with facilitators stressing that proper nutrition plays a key role in disease prevention, growth and overall wellbeing.
One of the major highlights of the program was the practical demonstration of healthy cooking techniques. Young people were shown how traditional foods can be prepared in ways that preserve their nutritional value while maintaining food safety standards.
The sessions challenged common misconceptions about nutrition and encouraged participants to embrace healthier lifestyles. Many youths expressed appreciation for the practical nature of the training, saying it provided information that can easily be applied in their homes and communities.
Zimbabwe Youth Council provincial officer, Munyaradzi Furamera, urged young people to prioritize healthy living while pursuing economic opportunities.
He encouraged youths to engage in productive and income-generating activities that can improve their livelihoods and enable them to access nutritious food.
“Good health and economic empowerment go hand in hand. Young people should take nutrition seriously while pursuing business opportunities that can sustain them and their families,” he said.
For MAYA, the program goes beyond teaching cooking skills. It is about creating informed young citizens who understand the relationship between food, health and sustainable development.
As urban communities continue to face challenges linked to food security, climate change and rising living costs, organizers believe equipping young people with practical nutrition knowledge can help strengthen community resilience and promote healthier futures.
By reaching youths in Sakubva, Dangamvura and Chikanga, the program is helping to cultivate a generation that is better prepared to make informed food choices, improve household nutrition and contribute to the development of sustainable urban food systems in Mutare.
