Mangeons Local: food education project in Dakar (Senegal)

In Senegal decreased consumption of locally produced foods has led to a weakened local economy, as well as rising poverty levels, health problems and a loss of cultural knowledge and agricultural biodiversity. This is largely due to the rapid rise of imported staple foods and the increased availability of fast food in cities such as Dakar.

To bring the focus back to local agriculture and food traditions, members of Lék Magnef Sénégal convivium designed the Mangeons Local education program together with local cooks from the Terra Madre network.

Since 2008, they have delivered the program at two schools in central Dakar with students between 10-12 years old. The classroom lessons are focused on introducing the children to local breeds and varieties, culinary traditions, and the food communities in the region and are followed by cooking sessions. An annual community festival is held at each school to increase awareness among the families and broader public.

In 2010, the goal is to increase the reach of the project by introducing it to a third school in one of Dakar’s poorest suburbs, and to add school gardens and excursions to local producers to the program to give students first hand experience of food cultivation and processing traditions.

The funding being sought for the continuation and expansion of this project in 2010 is €12,100, according to the following breakdown:
- Materials and labor for three school gardens € 1,800
- Excursions to producers and food communities € 1,500
- Equipment, ingredients and educational materials € 2,100
- Annual Mangeons Local festival at each school € 900
- Communications and community awareness raising activities € 600
- Cookery, classroom and school garden teachers € 4,000
- Support staff € 1,200.


For further information, click here to view a photo story of this project.