HAZ CHAMPIONS HEATHY EATING FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

A partnership aimed at putting traditional grains back on Zimbabwean plates is taking shape after HAZ hosted a high-level engagement with the Sorghum and Millet Association at its offices, laying the groundwork for what organisers are calling a pivotal moment for the country’s healthy eating movement.

The meeting brought together representatives from both organisations to unpack the challenges and opportunities facing the sorghum and millet industry, with discussions centred on how the sector can be strengthened to better serve health-conscious consumers. According to HAZ, the engagement was highly productive, delving into the intricacies of the industry and exploring innovative solutions to propel it forward.

Sorghum and millet have long been recognised nutritionally as gluten-free, fibre-rich small grains that are lower on the glycaemic index than many refined staples, making them a natural fit for conversations around healthier diets. Often referred to as small grains, they are also more drought-tolerant than maize, positioning them as both a nutritional and a climate-resilient food source for Zimbabwean households. Advocates have increasingly pushed for their reintroduction into mainstream diets, arguing that a shift away from heavily processed staples toward traditional grains could meaningfully improve public health outcomes across the country.

The collaboration between HAZ and the Sorghum and Millet Association is set to culminate in the Grow and Glow Conference, scheduled for October this year. Described by HAZ as a potential game-changer for stakeholders and enthusiasts alike, the conference is expected to bring together players from across the small grains value chain, alongside health and nutrition advocates, to explore how sorghum and millet can be positioned more prominently within healthy eating conversations.

HAZ said it was thrilled to welcome the Sorghum and Millet Association on board and expressed optimism about the collaboration ahead, with both parties looking forward to a partnership that yields tangible results for the industry and the consumers it serves.

The engagement comes amid a broader push across Zimbabwe’s agricultural and health sectors to elevate small grains as a cornerstone of both food security and nutrition. Traditional grains conferences and seed festivals held elsewhere in the country in recent months have similarly emphasised the dual role sorghum and millet can play in strengthening climate resilience while supporting healthier diets.

With the Grow and Glow Conference now on the horizon, stakeholders in Zimbabwe’s small grains sector will be watching closely to see whether this latest collaboration translates into concrete progress — both for an industry seeking growth, and for a public health agenda increasingly focused on the benefits of returning to more traditional, nutrient-dense foods.