Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s leading cocoa producer, accounting for 40% of global supply. Cocoa cultivation significantly contributes to the national economy, representing 10% of GDP and supporting over six million farming households. The South-West region alone produces about 40% of the country’s cocoa. Despite this economic importance, the region experiences severe nutritional challenges, including high child stunting (27.1%) and child mortality (114‰ as of 2010). A baseline survey conducted from February to March 2014 across 38 villages assessed food security, fruit and vegetable production, and dietary diversity among 1,069 randomly selected cocoa-producing smallholder households. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, 24-hour dietary recalls, and food insecurity questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements were taken from all surveyed women and their children under five (1,475 children). Results revealed critically low dietary diversity: 80% of women and 94% of children consumed fewer than three food groups in the prior 24 hours. Women’s diets were dominated by fats and oils (69.5%), tubers (53.2%), and cereals (39.1%), with limited intake of nutrient-rich foods like fruits (16.4%) and fish (10.6%). Children’s diets included cereals (41.5%), tubers (38.7%), fish (32.5%), and fruits (24.5%), though essential food groups such as vitamin A-rich produce, eggs, and meat were infrequently consumed. This poor dietary diversity is reflected in the high prevalence of stunting among children (48.7%) and significant household food insecurity (35%). The findings underscore the urgent need to promote dietary diversification and enhance access to nutrient-dense foods to improve health outcomes among cocoa-producing households.