Foundation launches hydroponic garden to promote nutrition and address food insecurity

The Dis-Chem Foundation is passionate about improving the lives of South Africans.

Therefore, it was fitting that on its 21st anniversary, it launched the first hydroponic vegetable garden, marking an important step in its commitment to addressing nutritional needs within communities in the country.

The hydroponic garden can grow 4 000 crops in under six weeks, with the system designed to generate an impressive variety of produce, including 1 728 leafy greens, 356 onions, 110 pepper plants, 110 chilli plants, 40 tomato plants, 40 sugar snap peas as well as 40 bean plants.

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These crops were selected to provide a comprehensive array of essential vitamins and minerals needed to fulfil a person’s full daily nutrient requirements, aiming to address the dietary deficiencies experienced by many South Africans.

Whilst The Dis-Chem Foundation’s objective is to provide nutrition to communities, the hydroponics team; JP Brand, Seth Morgan, and Elizabeth Thema, with assistance from Ken Fairweather, considered the high cost of hydroponic systems, realising it was unaffordable for those who need it. They created a system with parts that can be obtained from local hardware stores, making replacing and maintaining these systems affordable.

The garden operates on an efficient hydroponic system, using up to 95% less water than traditional farming methods.

While producing more crops per square meter and providing a constant harvest of nutritional food, ensuring the beneficiaries receive fresh produce weekly.

Brand and Morgan shared the technical aspects of the system, explaining the water is gravity-fed into the top of the vertical towers which allows for dissolved organic nutrients to be delivered directly to plant roots. This ensures optimal nutrient uptake and increases the rate of plant growth by up to 30%.

The water collected at the bottom of the towers is diverted to a sump tank and pumped back to the nutrient supply tank by a small pool pump, creating a closed system.

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On the evening of the launch, Lynette Salzman, said many children in the country go to bed without a meal, which is evident that we need food security solutions.

“The Dis-Chem Foundation’s hydroponic garden will play an important role in addressing this issue by providing fresh, nutrient-rich produce. Ubuhle Bezwe Children’s Home and Soup Kitchen in Thembisa is the first recipient of many who will be supported by the hydroponic garden and installing hydroponic systems nationwide.

“We may not feed the whole of South Africa, but perhaps we could teach all our communities to feed itself,” said Salzman.