Small organic farmers empowered to sell their crops
Shoprite and Checkers Market Day empowered community food gardeners to sell their crops across the country on March 10.
Local community food gardens had an opportunity to sell their fresh produce directly to the public at selected Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets nationwide on March 10.
At least 24 food gardens participated in Market Day, selling fresh and organic produce such as spinach, green peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce and green beans.
Among many other participating supermarkets in the country, Checkers Bracken Gardens also gave Ufuzo agricultural and dropping off centre an opportunity to sell its products.
Market Day was first introduced in 2017 to extend support to the many community food gardens Shoprite and Checkers partners with.
According to Judy Maluleka, corporate social investment manager of the Shoprite Group, this provides the gardens with a platform to sell their fresh produce.
She said garden members gain invaluable skills about operating in a formal retail environment and it creates additional income-earning opportunities.
“They are also able to promote themselves to a wider customer base. Hunger relief is at the core of the Shoprite Group’s corporate social investment programmes. Through its Act For Change programme, the Group supports more than 160 community food gardens and over 2 500 home gardens, which impacts almost 17 000 beneficiaries,” said Maluleka.
In the past year, she said more than 570 community members were trained in sustainable food gardening, assisting them to generate an income while growing nutritious and organic food.
“The Shoprite Group’s support for the community food gardens includes an 18-month agricultural training and mentorship programme for community members, and the supply of seeds, seedlings, gardening implements, water-supply infrastructure and shade-netting,” she said.
Thamella Mgulwa of the Ufuzo centre thanked the store for the opportunity and said they wanted people to know more about the importance of organic farming.
“We plant organic vegetables and we have an after school programme where children are taught about agriculture and the importance of organic farming. We cook for them after every event,” she said.
Mgulwa of the Orange Farm centre told the RECORD that they have been involved in organic farming for many years.
Liam Dorning, relieving branch manager of Checkers Bracken Gardens, commended the pair and said he was the first to support them by buying their fresh produce.
