In a continuing effort to combat hunger and promote food sustainability, Libstar, a leading South African producer and distributor of consumer packaged goods, has planted a winter crop and ten fruit trees at the Ravensmead Educare Centre.
The planting forms part of Libstar’s ongoing community food garden initiative and follows the success of a summer crop sown at the centre in October 2024. That initial harvest has already produced around 85 kilograms of fresh vegetables, which were converted into more than 4,000 meals for local children and families.
With the addition of the new winter crop, the centre expects to serve over 7,000 additional meals in the coming six months, reaching at least 135 children who rely on the facility for both nutrition and early childhood education.
“As a food business, addressing hunger is core to our purpose,” said Libstar CEO Charl de Villiers. “This initiative is about more than just planting crops – it’s about creating sustainable solutions to hunger alongside our committed partners.”
The Ravensmead Educare Centre is part of the GROW Early Learning programme and plays a crucial role in supporting local families. In addition to early childhood education, the centre provides daily meals — a service that has become increasingly vital as many households face economic hardship.
Centre Principal Sarah Strauss welcomed the continued support from Libstar and its partner organisation, The Sprightly Seed.
“We are deeply thankful for their commitment,” she said. “This garden is more than a source of food — it’s a symbol of hope and resilience. The harvests help us ensure our learners are well-fed, especially during the difficult winter months.”
The garden initiative is implemented in partnership with The Sprightly Seed, an organisation specialising in regenerative agriculture and community resilience. Founded by human development specialist Jade Orgill, the organisation focuses on empowering communities to take ownership of their food systems.
“Our partnership with Libstar is about building more than gardens,” said Orgill. “We’re cultivating knowledge, skills, and confidence in the communities we serve. That’s what real food security looks like.”
With efforts like these, Libstar continues to demonstrate how private sector involvement can drive impactful, sustainable change — not just on commemorative days like World Hunger Day, but throughout the year.
