South Africa is a country plagued by poverty and hunger, with approximately 20 million people going to bed hungry every night. According to UNICEF, it is one of 20 nations globally that account for 65% of all children living in severe food poverty.

As highlighted in UNICEF’s 2024 child poverty report, addressing these alarming statistics requires a commitment to transforming food systems. However, for millions of malnourished and hungry people across the country, accessing nutritious food is a daily struggle. It is this urgent need that The SPAR Group has been striving to meet through its partnership with Operation Hunger and other similar organisations, says Dr Thuli Tabudi, National Sustainability: Socio Economic & Transformation Executive at The SPAR Group.

“Our contributions acknowledge that addressing only the immediate, short-term needs of hunger is not a sustainable solution. Programmes must also have a long-term, forward-thinking approach. SPAR’s partnership with Operation Hunger reflects this outlook—we believe that tackling poverty and hunger in South Africa requires the development of food security through lasting, sustainable solutions.”

A closer look at The SPAR Group’s commitment to Operation Hunger—which works to alleviate poverty and hunger in rural and hard-hit communities—shows how balancing immediate relief with long-term solutions has shaped the partnership over the years, says Tabudi.

To develop an identity for this partnership, SPAR ran an in-house competition to name the feeding scheme and the word Isonka (“bread” in Xhosa was chosen) as it symbolises SPAR’s commitment to alleviating poverty.  SPAR was very clear from the onset about the mandate being to establish feeding schemes in the outlying areas which had to be supported by the establishment of income-generating projects.  The partnership started in 2012 and included the involvement of SPAR distribution centres in choosing the locations as well as ensuring that these projects were strategically located near SPAR stores to ensure accessibility and support with donations.

This expanded approach was built on two key principles: community consultation and a business-driven approach to alleviating hunger. Food relief efforts were objective-driven, assessed for their effectiveness, and designed to help initiatives evolve into self-sustaining, profitable projects. Additionally, capacity development and training were provided to support vegetable gardens and other community-driven projects across provinces, including the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga.

The process through Operation Hunger begins with community meetings where the root causes of malnutrition and the availability of food and nutrition services are discussed. We assess existing practices and determine how best to assist targeted households.

“In line with this approach, and following best business practices in implementation and monitoring, feeding relief programmes are evaluated to track the health and well-being of participants. Years after the launch of Isonka, SPAR team members continue to actively engage with Operation Hunger through regular meetings where plans are reviewed, efforts are coordinated, and strategies are refined” continues Tabudi.

SPAR’s collaboration with Operation Hunger in their strategy and planning meetings, ensures that SPAR’s support aligns with the real needs of communities. These discussions allow us to assess goals, track progress, and identify ways to enhance the effectiveness of programmes. Most importantly, this collaborative approach fosters transparency and accountability, ensuring that resources are used efficiently to drive meaningful change.

Community support is deeply embedded in The SPAR Group’s operational framework. Independent owners of SPAR’s 2,500 stores nationwide are encouraged to engage with their local communities, involving employees, customers, and suppliers in initiatives that uplift and empower those in need.

Partnerships with organisations like Operation Hunger, which has long been at the forefront of the fight against hunger, are essential in delivering nutrition to impoverished communities—especially vulnerable children. However, feeding a nation requires substantial resources, logistics, and sustainable funding. This is where SPAR and other corporate partners play a crucial role, not only through financial contributions and food donations but also by leveraging supply chain expertise to enhance food distribution efforts.

“The partnership between our two organisations has a tangible impact on social development and is part of a collective effort to build a future where no South African has to endure hunger. We are proud to contribute to making this vision a reality,” concludes Tabudi.

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