Tru-Cape is not only supporting the Food Forward SA during the month of May, but also in helping to combat hunger in communities, donate apples and pears to crèches and schools in their production areas and beyond.
Tru-Cape has again, like in the past eight years, joined forces with Food Lover’s Market and dedicated partners to help combat hunger by supporting Food Forward SA throughout May, leading up to World Hunger Day on Tuesday May 28.
Tru-Cape, whose head office is in Somerset West, made a generous financial contribution to help kick-start this year’s campaign, which has already secured two million meals for needy South Africans.
During May, shoppers will also have the opportunity to voluntarily purchase a meal at only 47 cents at any Food Lover’s Market checkout to help make a difference for fellow South Africans.
With over 30 million individuals in South Africa currently food-insecure, Food Forward SA is dedicated to reducing food insecurity in South Africa by efficiently distributing quality food to those in need.
Roelf Pienaar, managing director of Tru-Cape, says food security and a lack of access to healthy food are stark realities for many South Africans.
“Many South Africans don’t have access to a plate of food or go to bed with an empty stomach. We are committed to every South African’s basic and constitutional right to a healthy meal. From our side, it is a small contribution to help alleviate hunger, an issue close to our hearts.”
According to Andy du Plessis, managing director of Food Forward SA, about 50% of South Africans go to bed hungry, and 27% of children younger than five years are malnourished.
“Food Forward SA increased our tonnages by 325% over the past five years. The cost per meal decreased from 85 cents in 2020 to only 47 cents this year, making food banking the most cost-efficient option to combat hunger,” he explained, adding that food waste is among the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
“In South Africa, more than 10 million tons of food are lost or wasted annually, costing the economy R64 billion a year. If we can recover it, we can address the problem of food security.”
Tru-Cape is also involved in several Western Cape communities through financial donations or sponsorships.
The apple and pear exporter also aims to limit food waste and its carbon footprint to the minimum, says Henk Griessel, quality assurance manager at Tru-Cape.
Food Lover’s Market has already secured 2 million meals through sponsorship partners for this year’s campaign. To further support the cause, visit any Food Lover’s Market store and purchase a meal at the checkout for only 47 cents, or donate a meal online through www.givengain.com/campaign/food-lovers-market-hunger-month-campaign