SOUTH AFRICA- Retail company Woolworths has extended its partnership with FoodForward SA (FFSA) for another three years and committed an additional ZAR3.45 million (US$187,000) to support the nonprofit’s efforts in alleviating hunger in South Africa.
Woolworths has partnered with the nonprofit for six years, contributing ZAR1 million (US$54,300) annually. The retailer also donates surplus foods from its store operations to specific charities via the nonprofit’s virtual foodbank program.
The program supports 920,000 vulnerable people across South Africa and serves a network of 2,500 charity organizations.
Woolworths donated 14,160 tons in the previous financial year, 65% of the total food donations FFSA received. The retailer’s food donations amounted to 56.6 million meals, reducing FFSA’s cost per meal from ZAR 0.56 to ZAR 0.07.
Zinzi Mgolodela, Woolworths’ Director of Corporate Affairs, expressed optimism over the extension, “We welcome the opportunity to continue our partnership with FFSA. They support our Inclusive Justice Initiative’s vision to ‘leave no one behind’ and share our ZEROHunger2030 vision. Over the last 15 years, they have significantly expanded their reach and impact, making remarkable strides toward a South Africa with no hunger.”
Andy Du Plessis, FFSA’s Managing Director, said, “We value and are very appreciative of our partnership with Woolworths. They believe in us and our business model, and through their surplus food donations and funding, we have been able to elevate our operations to a national level, reaching 920,000 vulnerable beneficiaries with daily access to quality food.”
Through the partnership, FFSA launched a supply chain internship program in 2019. The program lasts for 6 months and covers crucial aspects of supply chain management like stock management, warehousing and logistics.
Industry stakeholders have lauded the partnership and its extension, especially after high inflation continues to raise food prices.
In early June, the nonprofit secured mass donations of potatoes from partners like Woolworths amounting to 3,840 tons, enough to provide 15 million meals for 5 million families after potato prices increased by 51.4% in 2023.
“While farmers are aware of this need, many are unable to assist due to the cost of logistics. Our OneFarm Share platform brings all the role players together,” Du Plessis added.
