The Winnie Mabaso Foundation sells its fresh produce on Market Day
The Checkers Market Day created a unique opportunity for the foundation to raise funds.
Since its launch in 2017, Market Day has provided Shoprite-supported community food gardens with access to the retailer’s large customer base and a platform to generate income, gain retail experience and showcase their dedication to sustainable agriculture.
On April 3, the Winnie Mabaso Foundation, dedicated to helping vulnerable and orphaned children in South Africa, participated in the market day, where over 60 community food gardens from across Southern Africa sold their fresh, organically grown produce.
The foundation’s stall was at Checkers, Southgate Mall, where Candisé Lenders and Thembelihle Mahlinza offered a variety of fresh vegetables, including tomatoes, spring onions, green beans and spinach, all grown in the community garden.
This garden is one of many initiatives the Winnie Mabaso Foundation runs to raise funds and support their work. The community garden, based in the south of Johannesburg, provides fresh produce while giving back to the community.
Currently, seven volunteers from the area are working in the garden, gaining valuable skills and experience.
Lenders explained: “We empower and upskill the volunteers, and they are an important part of the garden’s success.”
The foundation is grateful for the support it has received from Shoprite and Checkers.
“Last year, they sponsored the start of the garden initiative. With 55 community gardens now under our care, we are proud of our strong partnership with Shoprite and Checkers, which helps raise much-needed funds to support needy children.”
“The gardens are not just about growing food; it is about growing a strong community. It is an essential part of our mission to improve food security and promote sustainable agriculture in the areas we serve,” added Lenders.
“We are proud of the work we do and hope the market day continues to grow, both in its efforts and its impact on those we serve,” said Lenders.
The Shoprite and Checkers Act For Change programme supports over 4 000 home gardens and over 260 community food gardens, helping to support food security in communities across South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana and Namibia.
