ABOUT 20 million people go to bed hungry every day and 10 million tonnes of food ends up in landfills each year, this according to SA Harvest, a non-profit organisation which feeds food vulnerable South Africans every day.

The organisation says that the volume of food being wasted each year is sufficient to feed every person in South Africa three nutritious meals every day.

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Speaking to Northglen News from its Durban warehouse at Hollywood Bets Kings Park Stadium, SA Harvest KZN Operations Manager Lindsay Hopkins, said all the food sourced by SA Harvest is still perfectly fit for human consumption.

“We source food from farmers, distributors, retailers and manufacturers. SA Harvest rescues this nutritious surplus and near end-of-shelf-life product. So what would have gone to waste ends up in people’s tummies,” she said.

The food is transported using refrigerated vehicles and is delivered to vetted beneficiaries who feed hungry people, many of which are early development centres, the physically challenged and the elderly.

“We work with numerous organisations and clubs who we have personally vetted. We’ve built relationships with these organisations over the years and we know the food is going to where it is needed most,” she said.

SA Harvest was founded in October, 2019. Retailers, distributors, wholesalers and airline companies donate short-dated stock, products that have reached their best before date and those with damaged packaging.

“It’s important to note that the stock is not expired and perfect for human consumption. SA Harvest works closely with the OneFarm Share programme, an initiative by Standard Bank and HelloChoice, which donates fresh produce,” she said.

The Durban warehouse services KZN in areas such as Isipingo, Amanzimtoti, Umlazi, Chatsworth, Phoenix, Resevoir Hills and Inanda within the eThekwini jurisdiction.

“Over supply is sent up north to Empangeni and Richards Bay, and also further south to the South Coast,” said Hopkins.

Speaking about the recent floods, Hopkins said she noticed that numerous individuals had formed food collection groups of their own.

She commended the individuals for their efforts as she knows first-hand that the need for food has certainly increased after the floods.

“We also saw a greater need for food following the hard lock down, looting and flooding. South Africans came together to help those in need but at the same time we saw individuals take donated items for their own needs. The items were not reaching the communities they was intended for, ” she said.

She encourages individuals to donate to legitimate organisations such as SA Harvest who are on the ground daily, and know where the need is.

“Working with trustworthy, established organisations will give you peace of mind because your donations will go to where it’s needed,” said Hopkins. “It’s also worth considering how long the organisation will remain in the trenches after the immediate crisis is over.”

“I would encourage anyone who wishes to make a donation to ensure that you have researched the organisations to whom you are considering donating to ensure that they are well entrenched and provide assistance to the same communities every day, and not only when there is a crisis,” added Hopkins.

To find out more about SA Harvest, visit www.saharvest.org