Retailer helps small-time farmers grow

Checkers Tambotie Mall along with Food & Trees Africa empowered small-time farmers to sell their tomatoes, chilies, spinach and other vegetables during a Market Day held at the mall on Thursday, 4 April.

The event was a partnership between Checkers Tambotie Mall, the Carroll Shaw Memorial Centre in Brandvlei and Food & Trees Africa to promote small-scale farmers.

According to Abigail Calata, Public Relations manager of the Shoprite Group, it was an excellent opportunity to support small-scale food gardens that provide sustainable nourishment and income opportunities for vulnerable communities across the country.

She added the project extends as far as Zambia, providing business training, gardening tools and seedling to food growers.

“As part of our strategy to fight hunger, the Shoprite Group acts for change by partnering with more than 70 gardens. In partnership with Food & Trees for Africa, the retailer offers training and provides gardening equipment as well as seedlings over a period of at least 18 months. Market Day is an outflow of this, as it enables community food gardens to promote themselves to a broader customer base and sell their excess crops. It provides them with some much-needed extra income, but also helps boost their independence which, in turn, leads to greater sustainability.”

According to Robyn Hills, Food & Trees for Africa programme manager, Market Day is also a great opportunity for the gardens to put into practice the marketing and business skills they’ve learnt as part of the Shoprite Group’s support.

Oupa Bila, Carroll Shaw Memorial Centre manager added that the move was welcomed as it subscribes to the National Development Plan of the government, which seeks to improve the economy of the country.