Food garden initiative helps sustain Krugersdorp’s most vulnerable
Supporting local farmers and advancing a sustainable food system are the goals of The Cradle of Hope food project.
The Harvest Initiative, a neighbourhood-based initiative that supports local food systems, encourages sustainable harvesting methods, and boosts the local economy with its charitable drive.
• Also read: Help fill the hunger gap with The Cradle of Hope
The initiative, managed by The Cradle of Hope organisation, takes the misfortune of the elderly community to heart, with many of the residents at Jack Cotton Old Age Home receiving monthly food parcels from them.
The organisation works to build a more just and resilient food system that is advantageous to all residents. The first crop was given to the residents of the old age home on May 24.
We are so pleased and grateful to present the first fruits of this labour of love, a beautiful crop of spinach,” said Melodie van Brakel, founder and CEO of The Cradle.
Melodie shared how the initiative will also create educational programmes that will help the elderly and the community.
“Our goal is to develop an educational programme teaching the community how to grow food for themselves,” she said.
“First, we will share the food that has been grown in our many gardens to assist families. The transformation of formerly unusable land into fertile and productive ground will have a positive impact on the ecosystem. Fresh produce will be available to the community,” she said.
Petrus de Villers, a resident of the old age home, expressed his heartfelt thanks for what The Cradle did for them.
The community has seen a change through the Harvest Initiative, which supports local farmers and gives fresh vegetables to those in need. The Cradle of Hope looks forward to carrying on this significant work, and they are proud of the impact it has made.
