SHOPRITE reaches major milestone in its mission to fight hunger and build stronger communities by opening its 300th community food garden.
The latest garden, known as the Zero Organic Waste to Landfill Project, is based outside Bredasdorp, Western Cape and is transforming food waste into fresh vegetables for local families.
The project, launched in partnership with the Cape Agulhas Municipality and the Zero Waste Association of South Africa (ZWASA), began in 2021 by turning biodegradable waste into compost.
It later expanded into food production, creating a circular system where food scraps from about 800 households are recycled into nutrient-rich soil to grow vegetables that are sold locally.
Situated near a large informal settlement, the project helps ensure fresh produce reaches nearby families quickly while promoting healthier eating.
The garden is cared for by a team of eight people under the guidance of ZWASA farm manager, Anine Swart, with about 700 square metres currently under cultivation on a five-hectare site.
The Shoprite Group is celebrating the opening of its 300th community food garden in Bredasdorp, helping turn food waste into fresh vegetables while fighting hunger in local communities. (ERLO BROWN)
Swart said healthy food starts with healthy soil.
“To grow healthy food, you need healthy soil. We take what people throw away from their kitchens and bring it back to the soil as compost. It’s not just about feeding people; it’s about feeding them well. More communities should have access to gardens like this because when people have healthy food, they have a healthier life,” said Swart.
Besides producing vegetables, the garden hosts monthly workshops where community members learn farming skills. Plans are also underway to build a nursery for seedlings and improve planting areas to better protect crops from harsh weather.
For more than a decade, the Shoprite Group has supported community food gardens across Mzansi, providing agricultural training, irrigation systems, tools and water-harvesting infrastructure to improve food security.
Shoprite Group chief sustainability officer Sanjeev Raghubir said reaching 300 gardens is a proud achievement.
“Celebrating the milestone of 300 community food gardens is a meaningful moment for us and we will continue to invest in communities through this programme. The support we provide to each garden is tailored to and shaped by its environment and the needs of the local community it serves,” he said.
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He said the Bredasdorp project shows how local partnerships can turn waste into valuable resources while strengthening food security.
Cape Agulhas municipal manager Wessel Rabbets praised the initiative, saying it proves how collaboration can solve environmental challenges while benefiting communities.
“This project is a practical and inspiring example of how partnerships can turn challenges into something that works for both people and the environment,” said Rabbets.
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