About the Campaign
Bringing the Spark to the Table
The campaign kick-starts with a dynamic launch event, spotlighting the importance of biodiversity conservation and sustainable food systems. Led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka and the World Food Programme (WFP) in Sri Lanka, together with the Ministry of Environment and the Department of Agriculture, the event will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and community advocates to introduce the campaign's vision and highlight innovative solutions for protecting Sri Lanka's plant biodiversity while improving nutrition.
GEF Early Action Support (EAS) Project
Protecting Biodiversity, Securing Our Future
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Early Action Support (EAS) project accelerates the implementation of Sri Lanka’s Global Biodiversity Framework. By mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into national strategies, the project helps protect ecosystems and promotes sustainable agricultural practices—ensuring food security and environmental resilience.
About HGSF Project
Nourishing Futures, One Meal at a Time
The national school meal programme feeds 1.8M children daily, with meals prepared by parents, mostly mothers. WFP's Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) project supports 3,500 caterers in 7 districts with tools, training, financial aid, and poultry farms, benefiting 200,000 children with fresh, nutritious meals.
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Cooking Competition
Cooking Competition
Cooking Up a Storm
Unleash your creativity by joining our exciting cooking competition! Home cooks and food enthusiasts are invited to showcase their culinary skills using Sri Lanka's underutilized foods. Whether it's a treasured family recipe or a bold new creation, this competition celebrates the rich flavors of Sri Lanka's heritage.
Recipe Book
Empowering Caterers, Nourishing Students
Our vibrant recipe book features delicious, nutritious recipes using Sri Lanka's lesser-known crops. Designed to blend tradition with innovation, it inspires families to cook with heirloom ingredients, offering sustainable and healthy meal options.

Purpose: This recipe book will be distributed to 3,500 school meal caterers involved in WFP's Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF) project across seven districts—Batticaloa, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Matale, and Monaragala. It aims to help caterers create healthier meals for 200,000 schoolchildren while supporting smallholder farmers and promoting better nutrition.
Campaign Partners
This initiative is powered by the collaborative efforts of UNDP Sri Lanka, the World Food Programme in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Environment, and the Department of Agriculture.
Government logo GEF logo UNDP logo WFP logo
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About the Campaign
Empowering Caterers, Nourishing Students
Amba Yaalu
Nestled in a serene mango plantation along Kandalama Reservoir, Amba Yaalu is Sri Lanka's first fully women-operated and managed hotel. As part of the campaign, a group of students will participate in a half-day event exploring nutrition and biodiversity.

A WFP technical expert will host a session on healthy eating and nutritional benefits. UNDP will lead a session on biodiversity conservation. A cooking demonstration by a Thema chef will provide hands-on learning about sustainable living.

Students and staff will also plant lesser-known crops in the hotel garden, nurturing Sri Lanka's natural heritage.

Thema Collection will support the campaign through cookery demonstrations for local communities as well as leading an engagement with the participation of hospitality students, through special sessions on the importance of biodiversity conservation, healthy eating habits and nutrition and methods of preparing lesser-known foods, hosted at Aliya Resort, Dambulla.
About the Campaign
Activations
Taste the Change
Sample delicious foods and drinks made from Sri Lanka's underutilized crops, rediscover local flavors, learn about biodiversity, and support sustainable food choices.
February 1, 2025
Diyatha Uyana
February 8, 2025
Galle Face