Bringing the fight against hunger to our doorstep

15 May 2018 | Social Responsibility

Community food gardens are gearing up to sell their vegetables at selected Checkers stores on Friday (18 May) to raise much-needed awareness ahead of World Hunger Day (28 May).

As part of its broader strategy to fight hunger, the Shoprite Group believes in partnering with local community organisations in the fight against hunger. The Group’s vision is to enable communities to feed themselves in an independent and sustainable manner.

It is the second time that community food gardens will be selling their excess crops at Checkers stores around South Africa.

A member from Molobanyane Co-op selling fresh produce from their food garden at Checkers Balfour Park, Johannesburg in 2017.

Lydia Hlophe from Yenzanathi Community Upliftment Programme in Botha's Hill, KwaZulu-Natal looks forward to the interaction with a broader customer base.

“Last year the customers were so happy to see us and some even took pictures with us. We were able to share our organisation's story and talk to them about how they can help. Afterwards many even took the time to visit us at our garden's monthly market day.”

- Lydia Hlophe from Yenzanathi Community Upliftment Programme

The money generated by sales will go towards supporting the children who normally benefit from the Yenzanathi programme.

Lydia Hlophe from Yenzanathi Community Upliftment Programme.

“Many of the children we work with live in child-headed homes and all the money raised through this initiative will go towards helping them. Every customer can help and their support will be greatly appreciated.”

- Lydia Hlophe

Another second time participant is the Suthani Community Garden from Alexandra, Johannesburg.

“We’re very excited about this opportunity as it is a great way for us to market our garden.”

- Kenneth Sibiya from Suthani Community Garden

Kenneth is one of the four pensioners who started Suthani (Isizulu for “well fed”). With support from Shoprite, the garden now grows enough vegetables to sell to the local community.

Members from the Suthani Community Garden working in their food garden.

“In addition to buying our vegetables, we also invite members of the public to visit our garden, which we are very proud of.”

- Kenneth Sibiya

In the Eastern Cape, the Empumelelweni project in the Amothole District’s Goshen Village will participate in the Market Day for the very first time.

“We are so excited and look forward to selling our vegetables at the Checkers in Queenstown. Our vegetables are delicious and of the highest quality.”

- Mxolisi Mankunti of the Empumelelweni project

Fighting Hunger at the Empumelelweni Community Project.

In addition to partnering with sustainable food gardens, the Shoprite Group also makes surplus food from its stores available to verified non-profit organisations whilst its fleet of Mobile Soup Kitchens enables the Group to respond to immediate needs in vulnerable communities.