Enhancing Food Security and Nutrition in Early Childhood: Development and Effect of the Central Kitchen Model in Thai Child Development Centers

Abstract

Nutrition plays a vital role in early childhood development. However, rural child development centers struggle with inconsistent meal quality due to fragmented food service systems and limited nutritional expertise in developing standardized meal menus. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the Central Kitchen Model (CKM) to enhance the nutritional quality of meals in child development centers (CDCs). Using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, the study employed a three-phase approach: (1) baseline assessment of current practices and nutritional status, (2) collaborative model development through stakeholder workshops that engaged 35 participants, including teachers, cooks, and parents, across nine CDCs in Ubon Ratchathani Province, and (3) implementation and evaluation over a 12-week period. The implementation involved standardizing meal preparation protocols, conducting nutrition education workshops for staff and parents, and promoting locally sourced ingredient integration. Nutritional outcomes were evaluated using the INMUCAL Program Version 3.0, anthropometric measurements, and behavioral assessments. Post-intervention analysis revealed significant improvements in meal nutritional value, with average energy content increasing from 349.42 to 414.34 kcal and protein levels rising from 14.00 to 16.96 g. Children's vegetable recognition scores improved from 1.70 to 2.65, and their ability to identify vegetable-based dishes increased from 1.80 to 3.55. Children’s height measurements showed significant improvement, indicating positive growth outcomes. The model fostered community engagement through participatory menu planning and local ingredient sourcing, demonstrating CKM's potential to address childhood malnutrition through sustainable food security and nutrition practices. This framework offers a scalable approach for enhancing child health outcomes and empowering communities to achieve long-term nutritional stability.