We are so proud to introduce two of the most incredible farming projects with online stores on GFN, both designed for impact, inclusivity, equity, and food system transformation – Living Soils (run by Sustainability Institute) in Stellenbosch and Straight From The Ground in Craighall, Johannesburg.Â
If you live in the Winelands, buying your fresh produce from Living Soils is one of the most impactful ways to vote with your wallet! Living Soils is EXACTLY what South Africa needs so much of. The Sustainability Institute has created internship opportunities for young people from the Lyndoch community who are unemployed and don’t have the means to further their education to learn to grow food crops for the retail market.
It’s a brilliant partnership between Sustainability Institute, Spier and Woolworths which aims to not only be a model for sustainable farming, non-toxic nutrient-dense food production, and food security for the local community, but also as youth development and land reform.
Spier has dedicated 3 hectares of land and resources for Sustainability Institute’s learning farm as part of their long-term impact model, and Woolies is backing the initiative financially as it aligns with their Farming For The Future program.
To check out what they are selling please visit their organic online store here. As they have just launched, the produce is only available for collection from Living Soils, but delivery will soon be available for the farm’s surrounding areas.
All ordering, payment, invoicing and deliveries are digitised and automated, freeing up 10’s of hours weekly so that our food system heroes can focus on their passion.
STGF is an urban farm situated at REEA in Parkhurst, Johannesburg, and is modelled on a concept called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
There are 12 small scale farmers that contribute to the weekly boxes, so buying a box from them contributes massively to local economic and entrepreneur empowerment.Â
STFG sells weekly organic boxes via their online store as well as pantry items that can be added to your orders.Â
The veggie box ingredients change weekly and customers can subscribe to get an organic food box as a subscription: weekly, bi-weekly or monthly or on an adhoc basis.
What is so special about Straight From The Ground is that they commit to buying a certain amount from the farmers at the beginning of a season, thus sharing the risk with the farmers. They work closely with their farmers and provide seed, seedlings and technical support.
Farmers really have it tough, and are vulnerable to economic global commodity price fluctuations, and of course Mother Nature in the form of pests, drought, floods and frost , so we love this model that spreads the risk among the local food system stakeholders. It would be great if more retailers would follow their example.
If you live in Joburg, please visit their store and sign up for an organic veg box. You can collect on a Friday or enjoy a delivery to areas within 8kms of REEA in Craighall.
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