Alex community comes out in numbers to witness the launch of new bread

Castle Lager manager Thomas Lawrence says the new bread baked from the by-products of the production of the beer brand has been tested and found to be safe for human consumption

The crowd of community members waits to receive the bread. Photo: Alulutho Siboma

More than 200 residents gathered at number 93 Ring Road in Alexandra near the Thusong Youth Centre for the launch of a new type of bread.

The bread is made from the by-products of Castle Lager and will be distributed as part of a campaign to feed the less fortunate members of society.

MINAH LINDA: The bread tastes nice and the texture is unlike the other bread that I have tasted. It is different from the bread we normally buy from the shops. I think the bread will put smiles on many people’s faces. The producers did a really good job making this bread.

The beer brand, in partnership with S A Harvest, presented the bread to the community of Alexandra.

According to the Castle Lager manager Thomas Lawrence, the campaign was part of a desire by the brand not to waste its by-products by throwing them away but to turn them into products that could help to fight hunger.

Shelly Abby of SA Harvest gives the bread to one of the community members in Alex. Photo: Alulutho Siboma

Lawrence said the idea of producing bread from the by-products of the beer-making process was born three years ago and the bread had undergone vigorous testing for quality, taste, and nutritious value that South Africans could benefit from.

Lawrence assured prospective consumers that the bread had been tested and was safe for human consumption. “We brought in experts, dieticians, and nutritionists to do a quality test on the product to ensure the bread meets certain quality standards and nutritional value.

SA Harvest workers offload the bread from a truck. Photo: Alulutho Siboma

“I am pleased to inform you that the bread is of high quality, high in fibre, and a good source of protein,” he said, adding that the bread did not contain any alcohol.

Community member Minah Linda tasted the bread and said it had a good taste and texture and was of high quality. She added that it was better than some bread one could buy at the shops.

NOKUTHULA NCUBE and HLEKANI MNGOMEZULU: We heard about this campaign from the streets and decided to check what is happening. When we got here the bread was already being distributed. We got our share and to tell you the truth, it is my first time eating something like this.
I like the bread and the way it tastes; I even went back to get some more that I will be taking home with me.

Unfortunately, Lawrence said the bread would not be available for retail as it formed part of a corporate social investment project of the beer brand which had targeted initial production of 30 000 loaves that would ultimately grow to 90 000.

The campaign would run for a period of three years and after that, an assessment would be made to determine what happens next on the way forward.