Vegetable garden in Bethal will feed the hungry
The project is being done as economically and financially friendly as possible with the assistance and contribution and help thus far from AfriForum, Grasslands Plant, Build-it Bethal, Jedd and local farmers.
BETHAL – A project is underway which will see many families being fed.
This initiative is a community project and through the day-to-day running by the community, businesses and AfriForum will in the long run see many hungry families being fed.
A portion of land consisting of 1 000m², has been cleared out and is in the developing phase to plant vegetables.
Bethal has a soup kitchen which feeds about 113 families, according to Ms Marilé Nieuwoudt of AfriForum and Bethal CPF.
“The idea is to let a community who needs food, help with taking care of the plantation and then to reap the rewards, but at the same time they also learn how to cook with certain vegetables in variety of ways.
“We want to begin a community that not only receives, but also gives back. We want to teach them to teach or help a neighbour to make the most of a little,” said Ms Nieuwoudt.
She said it has been seen that not many know how to cook with fresh food or make it work in many different ways, using pumpkin as an example that can be used as soup, fritters, pancakes and so much more.
The project is being done as economically and financially friendly as possible with the assistance, and contribution and help thus far from AfriForum, Grasslands Plant, Build-it Bethal, Jedd and local farmers. The process began with the clearing of land and in the next phase poles will be erected with netting over the whole area. Further continuation of the project will see putting down weed-mats to conserve water along with planting of seeds.
“We want to produce as much as possible, as continuously as possible, as eco-friendly as possible and to feed as many possible. This will be a community project involving people who give up their time and get involved with the up-keeping, harvesting and everything else it takes to keep a vegetable garden going.”
Other phases will see how to distribute, when to distribute and where to distribute.
Ms Nieuwoudt said challenges currently are funding for equipment and people who are willing to help with their expertise. Although they have a water tank, they need a pump and also things such as topsoil.
If you want to get involved in the project, contact Ms Nieuwoudt at 071 837 1184 for more information.
