At Midwest Food Bank East Africa, we are happy to receive any food donations we can pass along. We are especially delighted to be able to distribute quality, nutritious vegetables. For this reason, MFB values the partnership with Rozzika Gardens Ltd. Since opening in 2014, we have received fresh vegetables from the faithful donor.
Rozzika Gardens was founded in 1999. Vegetables are grown in Kenya and exported to the Netherlands. Vegetables that do not meet the export quality standards, yet are still edible and delicious, are donated to Midwest Food Bank.
The volume of vegetables donated varies with the growing seasons. Currently, Rozzika Gardens is offering MFB one to two metric tonnes of green beans, snow peas, sugar snap peas, onions or cabbage, twice a week. Access to nutritious food for distribution is a blessing. This is especially true in Kenya, where 26% of children under the age of five are suffering from chronic malnutrition and experience physical and cognitive stunting.
When Midwest Food Bank receives phone calls from Rozzika Gardens, we send our refrigerated box truck to collect the vegetables in bulk. The produce is taken for distribution to partner schools and orphanages. For some of the children in the schools receiving this produce at the mid-day meal is the only meal the child eats that day. For the schools and orphanages, donations of vegetables increases the nutritional content of food provided and reduces their food budget. This allows the schools to use the saved resources to take care of other pressing needs. “We are happy for the vegetables donated to us. They have the nutrients needed to help our children grow,” shares Reverend Mbaya, leader of Quest for Happiness Orphanage outside of Nairobi (photo below)
Midwest Food Bank employees and Board members met with Rozzika Gardens leadership during a visit in January, 2019. They expressed their desire to support the children in need in Kenya. They have visited the partner schools and are familiar with the conditions in which the students live and attend school.
Midwest Food Bank East Africa is blessed by the generosity of Rozzika Gardens. Thanks to their compassion, many children are blessed.
