VAAL TRIANGLE – Community food gardeners from Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging and Meyerton took their produce straight to shoppers during Checkers’ Market Day on Tuesday, October 27.

The initiative gives growers an opportunity to sell their harvests in a retail setting while gaining practical experience and building relationships with customers.

Mahata Mmoho Agricultural Cooperative participated at Checkers Hyper Vanderbijlpark, while Light for Revelation Ministries Care Center sold its produce at Checkers Hyper Arcon Park in Vereeniging.

In Meyerton, Providing Sustainable Environment to Our Community participated at Checkers FX Meyerton Mall.

According to the Shoprite Group, the participating projects are among more than 320 community food gardens it supports across southern Africa to strengthen food security.

Through its Act for Change programme, the group provides assistance that includes training, seedlings and infrastructure to help gardens develop their operations.

Sanjeev Raghubir, the group’s chief sustainability officer, says Market Day offers benefits beyond the fresh vegetables and herbs available to shoppers.

He says direct interaction with customers helps growers build confidence while allowing shoppers to meet the people responsible for producing their food.

Participants also receive practical guidance on product presentation, pricing, customer relations, communication and record-keeping.

These skills can help emerging farmers and entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses and better understand what customers want.

The market setting also gives participants an opportunity to learn which products attract buyers and how to present their harvests effectively.

The group says its support continues beyond Market Day, helping community gardens improve local food production and contribute to livelihoods and nutrition.+9