In northern Benin, malnutrition remains a serious challenge for many families. Women and young children are particularly affected by nutrient deficiencies, including iron deficiency, which can lead to anaemia and other long-term health problems. Across Benin, anaemia affects a large proportion of children under five, limiting healthy growth and development.
Yet many of the food ingredients needed to improve nutrition already exist within local communities.
Marius Affonfere believes local solutions can help address local challenges.
A food and nutrition scientist from Benin, Marius has dedicated his work to improving the nutritional well-being of vulnerable communities. Through the LocalFood4Nutrition (LF4N) initiative, he helps families make better use of locally available foods to improve diets, particularly for young children and women of reproductive age.
After joining the Kofi Annan Changemakers programme in 2022, Marius received additional support from the Jenö Staehelin Foundation, allowing him to expand the reach of his work.
Turning local ingredients into better nutrition
Marius’ approach focuses on a simple idea: improving everyday meals with nutritious local food ingredients.
Research has shown that local food ingredients such as moringa leaf powder, baobab fruit pulp, and cochlospermum tinctorium root powder can enhance the nutritional value of staple foods commonly eaten in Benin.
Through culinary demonstrations in five villages across northern Benin, over 80 women learned practical ways to incorporate these ingredients into family meals and improve household nutrition using resources already available to them.
Making nutrition everyone’s responsibility
Marius recognises that lasting change requires the involvement of entire communities.
Alongside the culinary demonstrations, 115 primary school students participated in educational activities on healthy eating, hygiene, and nutrition. Through interactive sessions, children learned the importance of handwashing, a balanced diet, and the role that fruits and vegetables play in maintaining good health.
The project also engaged over 40 men in discussions about nutrition and family well-being. For many participants, it was their first opportunity to explore how they could contribute beyond their traditional roles as providers.
By encouraging men to take an active role in nutrition, Marius is helping make family health a shared responsibility.
The Impact
Through LocalFood4Nutrition, Marius has:
- Promoted the use of locally available food ingredients to improve diets and reduce nutrient deficiencies.
- Trained 84 women in practical nutrition and food preparation techniques.
- Reached 115 primary school students through nutrition education activities.
- Engaged 43 men in conversations about nutrition and family well-being.
Looking Ahead
Marius is now working with colleagues to establish the Benin Food Movement, a new organisation that will build on the achievements of LocalFood4Nutrition and continue promoting healthier, more nutritious diets across Benin.
By helping communities recognise the value of local foods, Marius is demonstrating that improving nutrition does not always require new resources; sometimes it begins with seeing familiar ingredients in a new way.
All photos courtesy of Marius Affonfere.