CASCADE Program

Catalyzing Strengthened Policy Action for Healthier Diets and Resilience (CASCADE) Program

Access to safe food, clean water, and adequate nutrition as the foundation of human security and sustainable development. CARE Kenya ensures households have reliable access to nutritious food through climate-smart agriculture, resilient livelihoods, agribusiness development, and integrated nutrition programs.

Programme Goal

Contribute to improved food security & the reduction of malnutrition among women of reproductive age & children in Kenya

Healthier diets, More Resilient Communities

CARE is partnering with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) to help women increase their food security and reduce malnutrition for themselves and their children in Nairobi, Nakuru, and Nyandarua counties.

Project Aims

Reaching 527,954 people in Kenya and is part of a larger, six-country effort across sub-Saharan Africa.

Theory of Change

CASCADE connects community empowerment, market systems, and nutrition governance. By linking Farmer Field and Business Schools, VSLA groups, community score cards, and multi-stakeholder nutrition platforms, the programme drives improvements in dietary diversity, resilient livelihoods, and inclusive food systems — translating national nutrition commitments into locally financed and implemented action.

Project Approach

CARE is applying a market-based, systems approach to improve the policy-enabling environment, re-engineer markets, and empower women, while helping increase their resilience to price and climate-related shocks.

Key Results & Achievements (2022–2025)

Nutrition Outcomes

Women achieving adequate dietary diversity rose from 53% at baseline to 66.1%. Child dietary diversity (6–23 months) increased from 40% at baseline to 72%. 342,267 women reached through nutrition counselling by 120 trained frontline workers. 93.5% of trained women adopted improved food production practices.

Economic Empowerment

82.3% of VSLA members invested savings in income-generating activities. Average monthly household income rose from USD 38 to USD 70 (83.8% of members). 83.9% of VSLA members reported improved access to healthier diets

Governance & Policy

Costed Nyandarua County Nutrition Action Plan developed and launched (June 2024). Mid-term reviews of Nairobi and Nakuru Nutrition Action Plans completed and aligned to KNAP 2023–2027. Nairobi County Food Safety and Fortification Bill enacted (August 2024); county food safety policy under development. 3 county nutrition investment cases developed to support domestic financing advocacy. Active leadership in 3 county-level and 1 national multi-stakeholder nutrition platforms.