In an effort to help feed vulnerable commuters in Cape Town during the national lockdown, Woolworths and Infinity Culinary Training (ICT) are serving around 1 000 meals on a daily basis.
According to Barry Berman, Executive Director Infinity Culinary Training “Initially, the plan was to provide meals for one NGO in Philippi, but that quickly expanded to include two shelters in Athlone, a battered women’s shelter in Woodstock, and two informal settlements near the Bo Kaap. Together with Woolies, we are determined to help as many people as we possibly can”.
Infinity Culinary Training is a non-profit chef school providing basic cooking skills, professional tools and life skills to graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds to obtain employment in the hospitality industry.
The meals are being prepared in Woolworths head office’s product development kitchen, following all the safety and hygiene regulations of Covid-19 lockdown. The meals include a mix of vegetarian and meat options including vegetable curry and chickpea dahl, chilli con carne as well as roast chicken with roasted vegetables, all supplied by Woolworths Food.
“On hearing that ICT had obtained an essential service permit to provide cooked meals for the most vulnerable but couldn’t access their kitchen, as the building was closed for lockdown, we welcomed them into our kitchen at head office. We are grateful to have the opportunity to help ICT feed thousands of vulnerable people here in Cape Town during this challenging time,” said Spencer Sonn, Managing Director Woolworths Foods.
Woolworths partnered with ICT five years ago to provide all the ingredients for their Chef School. In line with the retailer’s goal of contributing R3.5 Billon to South African communities by 2020, Woolworths has built kitchens and training facilities for the upcoming Chefs.
