In South Africa, 10 million tonnes of food are wasted every year. Yet, according to the NPO SA Harvest, 19 million people suffer from hunger. There’s an abundance of produce to feed everyone in the country. So where does it all end up? Half of what is grown is lost before distribution during agricultural production, the packaging process, and handling and storage. But SA Harvest is providing a glimmer of hope. They are tackling this societal ill by connecting the vast quantity of excess food with people in need.
SA Harvest rescues surplus food that would otherwise end up in landfills and emit greenhouse gases. Collecting perishables and non-perishables from vendors, farmers, companies, and donors, the initiative safely delivers the food to local organisations who hand it out to their communities. Manazi Mncube is a volunteer at one of the beneficiary organisations based in KwaZulu-Natal. “People in my ward have been feeling like they’ve been forgotten,” Mncube says. “You can’t always go to your neighbour and ask for food every day.” But with the support of SA Harvest, she is ensuring her community has access to adequate nutrition. “When someone else is happy and they leave with a full stomach, it gives me a lot of hope,” Mncube says.
SA Harvest has recently reached a milestone of handing out their six millionth meal. Ben Molefe, a warehouse assistant, is proud of the strides they’re making. “To wake up and give and share, it’s the main course of the day,” he says. Although SA Harvest is a leader in the fight against hunger and food waste, they celebrate their success alongside their partners and volunteers. Every team player is hard at work to challenge inequalities and create a sustainable solution for the food system. SA Harvest is demonstrating that there is power in unity when overcoming adversity. Through collaboration, the enormous task of feeding a nation shifts from being arduous to possible.
Footage by Ocean Planet Media was used in the creation of this film.
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