Nutrition Impact @ Scale (with GAIN)
At Nakuru Box, we are proud to be a key implementing partner of the GAIN-NIS (Nutrition Impact at Scale) program, a transformative initiative focused on improving food safety and nutrition through the empowerment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food sector.
With active implementation in Nakuru and Nyandarua counties — two of Kenya’s most prominent agricultural regions — this program aims to strengthen the local food ecosystem by building business capacity, promoting sustainable practices, and enhancing compliance with food safety and quality standards.
The GAIN-NIS program is centered on five priority value chains that are integral to both community nutrition and regional economies: fish,dairy, poultry, and fruits and vegetables. These commodities are not only dietary staples but also major sources of livelihood across the two counties. By focusing on these value chains, the program addresses critical gaps in food production, handling, and distribution, while supporting MSMEs to improve product safety, quality, and market readiness.
The GAIN-NIS program is centered on five priority value chains that are integral to both community nutrition and regional economies: fish,dairy, poultry, and fruits and vegetables.
These commodities are not only dietary staples but also major sources of livelihood across the two counties.
By focusing on these value chains, the program addresses critical gaps in food production, handling, and distribution, while supporting MSMEs to improve product safety, quality, and market readiness.
Our intervention goes beyond traditional training by offering a comprehensive package of support services, including:
- Specialized training modules tailored to the specific needs of food businesses, covering topics such as hygienic production, proper food handling, cold chain management, storage, packaging, and labeling.
- Technical assistance and mentorship to help enterprises meet both national regulatory requirements and international food safety standards, thereby opening pathways to broader market access.
- Traceability system promotion to ensure transparency and accountability across the supply chain — a key factor in boosting consumer trust and market competitiveness.
To ensure effective delivery, we have developed a structured curriculum and training schedule that combines theoretical learning with hands-on, practical guidance. This approach allows entrepreneurs to immediately apply lessons learned to their businesses, resulting in measurable improvements in operations and compliance.
Beyond food safety and standards, the GAIN-NIS initiative places a strong emphasis on value chain strengthening. We actively facilitate connections between MSMEs and essential ecosystem players — including reliable suppliers, service providers, financial institutions, and buyers — to help businesses optimize their supply chains, access affordable financing, and tap into new markets.
This holistic approach does more than build compliant businesses; it fosters long-term business resilience, promotes inclusive economic growth, and contributes to improved nutritional outcomes for communities. By integrating food safety with enterprise development, the GAIN-NIS program addresses both public health and economic development objectives.
With our extensive experience in supporting MSMEs and our deep-rooted knowledge of local contexts in Nakuru and Nyandarua, Nakuru Box is uniquely positioned to lead this initiative. Through strong stakeholder collaboration, innovative solutions, and continuous capacity building, we are ensuring that local businesses are empowered to thrive sustainably — both in domestic markets and on the global stage.
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