Constantia Primary School learners will now have their school meals supplemented by vegetables from their own organic food garden, thanks to a fruitful partnership between Checkers and a local retailer. The Constantia Primary School garden will form a part of the Shoprite Group’s food garden programme which was first rolled out in 2015. To date, the programme supports more than 100 community gardens across South Africa. The initiative consists of training workshops over the course of a year and donations of plant material as well as gardening tools.
The school’s new garden will not only provide fresh vegetables but it will also be a place where learners can practice gardening skills, they are taught at the Eco Club. Alastair Adams, principal of Constantia Primary, says “the garden is a wonderful addition to the school as an educational tool as well as a source of fresh produce for the learners and, eventually, the greater community”. He extended his gratitude to Checkers for investing in the community.
Support provided at the school included the installation of a 10 000F water tank and an irrigation system, as well as garden training for 20 of the school’s parents. “As a food retailer, we believe we are best placed to bring sustainable hunger relief to the communities we serve,” says Lunga Schoeman, the Shoprite Group’s corporate social investment (CSI) manager.
