HEALA is a brand committed to advocating for equitable access to affordable and nutritious food in South Africa. They are a coalition of civil society organizations working towards building a more just food system. HEALA believes that access to nutritious food is a fundamental human right, as guaranteed by the South African Constitution.

Unfortunately, South Africa faces significant challenges of hunger, food insecurity, and obesity due to a broken food system. HEALA's mission is to create a platform for communities to mobilize and organize around policy change for affordable and nutritious food. They aim to educate government officials, civil society, communities, and the public about the actions needed to build a more equitable food system.

Through their campaigns, HEALA amplifies the voices of local communities and ensures they are heard by those in power. HEALA tackles key issues such as food regulation, poverty alleviation measures, and industry accountability. They advocate for stronger food regulations, including increased health promotion levies on sugary beverages, front-of-package warning labels on foods, and price controls to make healthy food affordable.

Additionally, HEALA works towards expanding social grants, introducing basic income grants, and improving the National School Nutrition Programme to combat poverty and ensure access to nutritious food. As a result of HEALA's efforts, they successfully played a role in implementing the Health Promotion Levy, commonly known as the sugar tax, which resulted in a decline in sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. HEALA believes that food policy can have a significant impact on public health.

The HEALA team is comprised of experienced and passionate individuals who are dedicated to social activism, community mobilization, policy advocacy, and research. They work together to drive change and address the socio-economic issues faced by the people of South Africa. Overall, HEALA's vision is to create a South Africa where everyone has equitable access to healthy food, unlocking their full potential and improving the nation's well-being