South Africa produces enough food to feed its population, yet millions of people continue to experience hunger. Every year, approximately 10 million tonnes of food are lost or wasted across the country’s food system, while vulnerable households are forced to skip meals, reduce portions, and make impossible choices about who gets to eat.

It is this contradiction that sits at the heart of Food Lover’s Market’s long-standing partnership with FoodForward SA.

This year, during the tenth Hunger Month campaign, customers, suppliers, partners and colleagues across the entire Food Lover’s family came together to help fund an extraordinary 16 357 829 meals, making it the most successful Hunger Month campaign in the retailer’s history. The campaign was supported by Food Lover’s Market family brands: FreshStop, VetSmart, Food Lover’s Eatery, and Market Liquors.

The result exceeded the campaign’s original target of 10 million meals by more than 63% and brings the total number of meals funded through Hunger Month since its launch in 2016 to an incredible 37 857 829 meals.

Brian Coppin, CEO of the Food Lover’s Market Group, said: “As I reflect on that number, I am filled with gratitude — not only for the meals themselves, but for what they represent: thousands of people choosing to help others at a time when many are facing challenges of their own. To every customer who donated at the till, thank you. Your generosity will help FoodForward SA and its network of community partners support families and communities throughout South Africa.”

For Food Lover’s Market, Hunger Month is not where the work begins. Throughout the year, the retailer donates surplus food through FoodForward SA’s food recovery network, helping redirect quality food to thousands of communities in need. Hunger Month serves as a platform to raise awareness, inspire action, and encourage broader participation from customers, suppliers and partners.

Through a network of more than 2 200 beneficiary organisations, FoodForward SA helps provide food assistance to close to one million vulnerable South Africans every day.

The impact of this work can be seen in communities all over the country. In KwaZulu-Natal, the Phoenix Survival Centre provides meals and support to abused, abandoned and destitute women while operating the area’s only mobile soup kitchen, supporting approximately 1 450 people every week. In Khayelitsha, FoodForward SA works with 60 community organisations that collectively provide regular access to nutritious food for more than 27 000 vulnerable people. Across South Africa, beneficiary organisations support children, elderly residents, people living with disabilities, unemployed youth, and families facing food insecurity.

The campaign’s success was driven by an extraordinary collective effort. Customers donated more than four million meals, while suppliers, landlords, and business partners contributed the balance.

“Reaching 16 357 829 meals in our 10th year is something that leaves us feeling incredibly humbled and deeply grateful,” said Andrew Millson, head of people and sustainability at Food Lover’s Market. “This campaign has always been about the power of collective action. It is proof that when people come together around a shared purpose, even the smallest contribution can create meaningful change.”

Millson thanked every customer, supplier, colleague and partner who has supported this campaign over the years. “This achievement belongs to all of you. Most importantly, it belongs to the communities whose lives will be changed through the work of FoodForward SA and its network of beneficiary organisations across the country,” he said.

Andy Du Plessis, managing director of FoodForward SA, thanked Food Lover’s Market, its suppliers, customers and colleagues for their incredible contribution, noting that the funds raised will enable FoodForward SA to expand its support to rural communities, malnourished children, and its national network of beneficiary organisations across South Africa.