On 16 October, the world unites in recognition of World Food Day which each year highlights the UN goal of achieving #zerohunger by 2030. Over the past six months Woolworths, together with its customers and partners has donated over 1.5 million meals to families battling the impacts of COVID-19.

With World Food Day’s theme; Grow, Nourish, Sustain.  Together.  Our Actions are our Future, #WorldFoodDay urges us all to be #foodheroes so on World Food Day, the retailer is committing to the donation of an additional 1 million meals through the Christmas period. 

2020, the 75th year of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN), is marked by the exacerbation of food insecurity in the world, due to COVID-19. More than 2 billion people do not have continuous access to nutritious food; 690 million people are hungry, and the FAO estimates that the pandemic could increase this by 83 to 132 million people.

“Since hard lockdown, the Woolies ‘Fill a bag’ campaign has brought us together with communities, our customers and our trusted NGO partner, disaster relief organisation, Gift of the Givers.  In consultation with our dietitian, well-balanced food care packs have been distributed to families in need or in quarantine. Our #foodheroes customers have given money and product donations to supplement Woolworths donation to help fill a bag or feed their community when they’ve shopped instore.  Many have encouraged family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and chat groups to do the same, “ says Zinzi Mgolodela Woolworths Director of Corporate Affairs.   

In partnership with Woolworths, Infinity Culinary Training (ICT), a non-profit chef school, has distributed nearly 400 000 meals to various communities and charity organisations in the Cape Town area.  Working from the Woolworths Head Office’s Product Development Kitchen and the ICT Kitchen on Adderley Street, 3 000 meals per day are prepared and served with loving care.

“But the pandemic is not over; and the spectre of hunger in SA is looming larger.  With our firm commitment to #zerohunger by 2030, Woolies is determined to amplify momentum in the country’s food relief efforts.  1.5 million meals have already been provided, and we will scale up to provide another one million meals over the next three months to see vulnerable families through the Christmas season.  It actually takes so little to do so much.  Most people don’t realise that R10 can provide one person with three balanced meals.  We’re inviting our customers to be #food heroes.  There are different ways to make a difference and every little bit does help.  Together.  We can make a difference,” concludes Mgolodela.

For more info go to: www.woolworths.co.za/togetherwewill