The right to food is enshrined in the South African Constitution. According to Section 27(1) (b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, it states that “everyone has the right to sufficient food and water. “Food insecurity is a real problem in South Africa as millions of people, mostly women and children, go hungry each day. Food drives go a long way in ensuring that the 250,000 hungry people are fed daily and receive good nutrition during the cold winter months”, says Andy Du Plessis, FoodForward SA’s Managing Director.
Woolworths will be expanding its partnership with FoodForward SA over the festive period, this year. Woollies customers will have the opportunity to donate to this cause until 31 December 2019. For every swipe of the linked MySchool/MyPlanet/MyVillage card, Woolworths will contribute to FoodForward SA. Furthermore, if customers pay with their Financial Services card, the donation will be doubled. Customers will also be able to purchase a donation card at the tills in selected stores or online, enabling further support for those who are in need.
“Giving back has always been at the heart of a Woolworths Christmas, and we are passionate about alleviating hunger in South Africa. It’s a journey we have been on for the past 16 years,” says Zinzi Mgolodela, Woolworth’s Director of Corporate Affairs. She added that some of the initiatives that Woolworths has championed with help schools to grow food gardens, help children meet their nutritional needs, equip emerging farmers with skills to grow food and help distribute surplus food but for Christmas 2019 Mgolodela says the retailer would love to do more. A cause-related reusable shopping bag will also be available for purchase at selected stores, alternatively, the bag can also be found online at R10 which will be donated to FoodForward SA.
FoodForward SA has partnered with retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers and farmers to recover edible surplus food and distribute it responsibly to vulnerable groups across the country. FoodForward SA currently distributes to 530 beneficiary organizations, ensuring that 201,000 vulnerable South Africans receive a meal every day. Moreover, the initiative will contribute to Woolworths’ broader #ZeroHunger campaign, which aims to raise R4.5m in the fight against hunger. In celebration of its 10-year anniversary, FoodForward SA has also committed to feeding 1 million people daily within five years.
