In commemoration of this year’s World Food Day and its call to action for sustainable food systems worldwide, a dedicated group of Woolworths employees from Kroonstad and Goldfields Welkom stores joined forces with unemployed youth at INMED South Africa’s Kroonstad Project. Together, they worked tirelessly to enhance the project’s food security and income generation for the local community.

For over a decade, INMED SA has been at the forefront of innovative, climate-smart food production in vulnerable communities across the country.  Woolworths, recognising the vital work that they do, has forged a partnership to expand of their Adaptive Agriculture Programme.  This initiative which teaches crucial climate smart farming skills to 30 youths in the Kroonstad and Bultfontein areas: with a notable focus on empowering women and individuals with disabilities.

Reflecting on the experience, Tumelo Molutsi store manager of Woolworths’ Goldfields’ store said, “It was a remarkable opportunity for us to visit INMED SA and work with the youth of the future.  We gained valuable insights into growing food for one’s community and responsibly utilising our precious water resources, particularly in an area which faces significant water stress.  It was truly an inspiring ‘day in the office’ for all of us. “

“Acknowledged on 16 October, this year’s World Food Day theme is to ‘Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind, ’emphasises the urgency of wise water use and calls for all of us to go out into our communities to help build a sustainable world for everyone and everywhere to ensure regular access to enough nutritious food.  A #zerohunger world by 2030. Woolworths aligns itself with the UN Food and Agricultural mandate to ‘Leave No One Behind’ and is a long-standing advocate for eradicating hunger in South Africa.  Over the past year, the retailer has allocated R 5.6 million in donations to organisations like INMED SA and has donated 11,325 tonnes of surplus food to 890 charities nationwide directly from its stores.

Zinzi Mgolodela, Woolworths Corporate Affairs Director affirmed.” For many years, Woolworths has been steadfast in its commitment to making a positive and sustainable impact on alleviating hunger in South Africa. We firmly believe that food security and access to food are fundamental human rights. Our ongoing support for organisations like INMED South Africa underscores our dedication to enabling communities across South Africa to thrive and become self-reliant in their food production efforts.”

By joining hands with INMED SA to commemorate World Food Day, Woolworths employees exemplify the collective effort needed to foster food security and sustainable livelihoods in communities that need it most. Together, they are making strides towards a #zerohunger world by 2030, embodying the spirit of compassion and empowerment that lies at the heart of this global movement.

To learn more about INMED South Africa’s work, visit https://inmed.org.za