Growing Health: Why Spinach is Changing Lives in Kilifi

First Published on September 21, 2024

Jonathan and Eric discuss the spinach

Standing in a modest vegetable garden just inland from Kilifi, Jonathan—our field coordinator—gestures proudly at rows of lush green spinach. It's healthy, vibrant, and nearly free of pests or disease.

That’s not just good news for agriculture. It’s life-changing for the local community.

According to Jonathan, “Just three spinach leaves sell for 20 Kenyan shillings at the market. A small garden bed like this one can easily fetch over 1,000 shillings when fully harvested.”

Why Spinach?

This wasn’t a random choice. In Kilifi and other parts of Kenya, most meals revolve around carbohydrates—especially ugali, a maize-based staple. While it’s filling, it lacks key nutrients. That’s where spinach comes in.

Spinach is rich in iron, vitamins, and fiber, making it a powerful supplement to local diets, especially for children.

By integrating vegetables like spinach into school meals and local homes, we’re not only improving health outcomes—we’re also creating small-scale income opportunities that empower families.

A Marketable Crop with High Impact

Spinach has high local market value, but it’s also delicate. That’s why part of our program focuses on post-harvest logistics—ensuring vegetables reach schools and consumers quickly, while still fresh.

We're working closely with communities to build systems that support both nutrition and economic sustainability.

Not Just Greens — A Greener Future

These garden beds are part of Rare Vrienden’s larger mission: supporting education, skills training, and food security in Kilifi and surrounding areas.

Many of the girls in our high school and university sponsorship program come from this region. The connection is direct: the spinach grown here helps support not only meals, but also education and opportunity.

Side Note: Coconut Palms, Tropical Joy

Around the fields, tall coconut palms stand watch. While not part of the project, they’re a beloved symbol of life near the Indian Ocean. After a long day in the fields, sipping coconut water is a simple but refreshing reward—one that reminds us of the natural beauty and abundance of this region.

What’s Next?

In the next blog post, we’ll follow the spinach from field to table—highlighting the schools and families who benefit from the harvest, and how your support helps turn crops into lasting change.

Want to support a garden bed like this? Donate today or get in touch with us to sponsor a school or skills program.

Together, we’re planting more than food—we’re planting futures.

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