Building strong partnerships with local communities is key to addressing food insecurity and promoting sustainable food systems. One such inspiring story comes from the Sinethemba Community Organisation in Khayelitsha, a vibrant collective that has seen its efforts to grow fresh produce transformed through its involvement with Food Gardens Connect (FGC).
For Sinethemba, a community that has long been passionate about growing food to feed its own, the road to sustainability was not always straightforward. In the past, they faced the uncertainty of where to sell their surplus vegetables, often relying on fluctuating community sales. But since joining the Food Gardens Connect programme, their situation has been transformed—bringing not just stability, but also income opportunities.
“We no longer worry about where to sell our vegetables,” says Nolitha Ndalase from Sinethemba. “Since joining Food Gardens Connect, we know that FoodForward-SA will buy our produce.”
The collaboration is a game-changer. Whenever their vegetables are ready for harvest, Sinethemba informs FFSA Community Development Officer, Likopo “DK” Sehlabo, who, during his site visits, collects and records the produce, ensuring accurate documentation of the quantity and value of each batch.
What makes this partnership even more remarkable is the relationship that has developed between Sinethemba and FoodForward-SA.
Nolitha adds, “FoodForward-SA is more than just our market; they are our bank! They keep track of what we supply, ensuring that every effort we put into our garden pays off.”
This partnership has provided a reliable income stream for the Sinethemba Community Organisation. The financial stability they now enjoy ensures that the community’s hard work is rewarded, creating opportunities for growth and furthering their mission of food security.
At FoodForward-SA, we’re proud of the work we do with our partners like Sinethemba, and we look forward to more stories of transformation as we continue to work towards a hunger-free South Africa. The success of partnerships like the one with Sinethemba shows that together, we can create a more equitable food system.
Contact us to learn more about how we’re making a difference in the communities we serve and how you can get involved in supporting our mission.