Empowering Mama Mbogas: How GAIN is Transforming Last-Mile Vegetable Vendors and Communities

As the world marks International Women’s Day 2025, we celebrate the resilience, ingenuity, and contribution of women in driving economic growth and improving household nutrition. In Kenya, one of the most visible yet often overlooked players in this space is the mama mboga (the last-mile vegetable vendor) who ensures families have access to fresh and affordable produce daily.

CASCADE Result Brief- Benin

Project Description CASCADE Benin works to support and strengthen national nutrition policies in 20 communes in six of the country’s 12 departments. Implemented by CARE and GAIN in partnership with nine local organizations, the project aligns with the priorities identified in Benin’s National Food and Nutrition Policy (Politique Nationale de l’Alimentation et de la Nutrition (PNAN).

CASCADE Result Brief- Ethiopia

The CAtalyzing Strengthened policy aCtion for heAlthy Diets and resiliencE (CASCADE) focuses on improving nutrition and food security by promoting healthier diets through multisectoral collaboration and evidencebased food and nutrition-related policies.

CASCADE Result Brief-Uganda

Project Description In Uganda approximately 29% and 53% of children below the age of five years are stunted and anemic, respectively. Additionally, one-third (32%) of women aged 15-49 years are anemic. Access to and consumption of healthy diets remains a challenge for women and children

CASCADE Result Brief- Nigeria

Project Description The Catalyzing Strengthened policy Action for Healthy Diets and resiliencE (CASCADE) project champions multi-sectoral nutrition strategies, scaling up actions and complementing the Government of Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen diets as described in the National Food and Nutrition Policy and Multi-sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition. CASCADE brings Nigeria’s private sector agri-food system actors together with

CASCADE Result Brief- Mozambique

Project Description The Catalyzing Strengthened policy Action for Healthy Diets and resiliencE (CASCADE) project is strengthening Mozambique’s food and nutrition security by fostering collaboration among government, the private sector, and communities. CASCADE frames its activities in Mozambique’s national Food and Nutrition Security Strategy 2024-2030 and the National Strategy of Food Fortification 2023-2027. The project focuses on reinforcing government capacity for policy coordination, fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors to strengthen nutrition-related businesses, and empower community-based organizations to advocate for better nutrition and agricultural services. These efforts are complemented by ensuring that nutritional outcomes are considered within agriculture and health interventions. Crosscutting to its work, CASCADE is supporting both policymakers to make evidence-based decisions and stakeholders working across Mozambique’s food and nutrition security landscape.

CASCADE Result Brief- Kenya

The CAtalyzing Strengthened policy aCtion for heAlthy Diets and resiliencE (CASCADE) project is responding to high malnutrition rates in Kenya and is strengthening implementation of nutrition related policies. The priority policy focus is the Kenya National Nutrition Action Plan which aims to accelerate and scale up efforts towards the elimination of malnutrition in Kenya in line with Kenya’s Vision 20301 and global Sustainable Development Goals.

IWD 2025 CASCADE WEBINAR

06 March 2025  , Global

This webinar explores the intersection of women's empowerment and food security, highlighting CASCADE's approaches to improving nutrition and building resilience for women of reproductive age and children.