Health experts note that South Africa is experiencing high rates of malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, as well as a rapidly growing level of overweight and obesity.
To address these issues, the organization Zero2Five Trust, in collaboration with the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) and a public nutrition consultant and certified dietitian, Philippa Barnard, is launching the ECD Nutrition Basket (Early Childhood Development Nutrition Basket).
This tool is designed to answer a complex question that is difficult to quantify: what is the cost of providing nutritious food to young children in early development settings? It aims to bridge the gap between the requirements outlined in nutrition policy and what early development centers must provide daily to children in practical and financial terms.
The work began with Zero2Five's practical experience in providing nutrition support and training for ECD centers. An initial two-week menu, based on recommendations from the National Department of Health, was refined based on implementation experience before moving to a practical weekly menu. This was then converted into a minimally adequate nutritional basis for ECD and ultimately into a defined and costed food basket.
Prioritizing Nutrition Based on Affordability
Instead of letting food prices dictate the children's diet, the necessary nutritional requirements are established first. The required foods and their quantities are then translated into a practical menu and priced using supermarket prices across the country where ECD specialists purchase food for children, creating a basis for continuous national price monitoring.
The ECD Nutrition Basket includes a diverse range of staple food groups such as fortified staples, vegetables, fruits, legumes, eggs, canned fish, milk, and maas (sour milk), healthy fats, and spreads. It also allows for appropriate substitutions, promoting the use of local products while maintaining the nutritional value of the meal.
What is the Cost of Feeding Children in ECD Centers?
According to the latest estimates from the pilot project for September 2026, the food cost is: R7.35 per child per day for children aged 9–23 months; R13.06 per child per day for children aged 2–6 years; and an average weighted figure of R11.92 per child per day for an illustrative ECD center of 20 children, consisting of 20% younger and 80% older children.
For this illustrative center, the monthly food cost is R4768.47, based on 20 children attending for 20 days. PMBEJD explains that the DBE ECD subsidy for 2026/27 includes a nutrition component of R9.60 per child per day. If 100% of the children in the illustrative center were covered by the subsidy, the center would face a food ingredient deficit of approximately R928 per month. With subsidy coverage at 70%, this gap increases to approximately R2080 per month.
These figures are intended to make the funding question more evident, rather than implying that R11.92 represents the full cost of providing the feeding service. The current calculation covers only food ingredients; labor, fuel for cooking, water, cleaning supplies, storage, and equipment are excluded.
From Menu to National Monitoring Tool
The ECD Nutrition Basket is moving into a more structured phase of piloting and refinement, with monthly price monitoring commencing in October 2026. PMBEJD utilizes its experience tracking food prices through the Household Affordability Index, while Zero2Five contributes extensive practical experience in providing nutrition within ECD settings. Philippa Barnard, a certified dietitian and public nutrition consultant, led the menu development, nutritional analysis, and cost calculations.
The goal is to track the cost of a specific volume of food over time, providing transparent evidence for planning, budgeting, procurement, and future funding discussions in the ECD sector.
Why is the ECD Food Basket Important?
ECD centers play a vital role in children's nutrition. For many young children, the food they receive while at the center contributes significantly to their daily nutrient intake. PMBEJD states: 'The ECD Nutrition Basket does not replace the National Department of Health's nutrition guidelines nor is it intended as a standalone intervention to prevent growth stunting. However, when properly implemented as part of a broader, evidence-based approach to child nutrition, it can support efforts to prevent stunting and promote healthy development.'
Translating nutrition guidelines into a defined volume of food and making visible the resources required to provide that food allows national nutrition commitments to be transformed into a practical, costed implementation directly at the sites where young children are fed.
A Defined Food Basket with Variable Pricing
PMBEJD asserts: 'The ECD Nutrition Basket is a defined food basket that provides a nutritionally appropriate and varied menu for children attending ECD centers. The menu and nutritional requirements are set, and the current phase of work focuses on finalizing the cost calculation and establishing continuous price monitoring.'
The cost calculation for September 2026 reflects the current cost of the defined basket based on prices observed at that time. Since food prices fluctuate, the cost of the ECD Nutrition Basket will also change. Therefore, regular price monitoring will allow tracking the cost of providing the same defined volume of nutritious food over time, adds PMBEJD.