World Food Day is observed on 16 October each year, and in South Africa October is observed as Food Security Month. In a country where millions go hungry every night, South Africa discards an estimated 10 million tonnes of food each year – enough to fill six sports stadiums. One-third of the nation’s food production ends up in landfills, whereas countless families struggle to put a single meal on the table.

By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming

In response to this troubling situation, the SPAR Group has strengthened its partnership with FoodForward SA to address the gap between food waste and food insecurity. Through the “Passing of the Sugar Challenge” campaign, SPAR will distribute food parcels to nonprofit organisations (NPOs) that feed vulnerable families, children and the elderly across the country.

A report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) highlights that South Africa discards a staggering 10 million tonnes of food each year, costing R61.5 billion annually – approximately 2.1% of the national gross domestic product (GDP). This waste exacerbates both hunger and poverty.

Further underscoring the crisis, AgriSA reports that a significant portion of this waste consists of fruits and vegetables, about two million tonnes of which are discarded solely for aesthetic reasons. One in five “imperfect” but perfectly edible fruits or vegetables ends up in landfills. The report indicates that 67% of food loss occurs during processing, packaging and consumption.

“Our goal is to create a real impact by driving meaningful change in communities through tangible and practical initiatives,” said Angelo Swartz, CEO of the SPAR Group. “This partnership is not just about distributing food parcels. It’s about celebrating unity, diversity and togetherness, the values that characterise SPAR as a family- and community-oriented business. When we work together, we can build stronger and more resilient communities.”

Also read: Farming emakhaya | SPAR cultivates change in rural communities

Surplus Edible Food will be Channelled to NPOs

Through its partnership with FoodForward SA, SPAR will channel surplus edible and nutritious food from its retail supply chains to NPOs across the country. The initiative not only seeks to reduce waste but also to alleviate hunger, poverty and inequality – issues that remain deeply entrenched in South African society, where unemployment hovers around 33.2%.

The latest data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reveals that in 2023, about 3.7 million households faced moderate to severe food insecurity, and 1.5 million households experienced severe food shortages. The burden falls disproportionately on female-headed households, underscoring the gendered nature of poverty and hunger.

Also read: Farming emakhaya | Limpopo women show how urban backyard gardens are building food security

“We are taking this responsibility of tackling poverty seriously,” said Dr Thuli Tabudi, SPAR’s Socio-Development and Transformation Executive. “SPAR is a company that believes in uplifting the communities it serves and making a difference in the lives of fellow South Africans for whom life is an everyday struggle. Through collaboration, we can help alleviate hunger and restore dignity to those afflicted by poverty.”

SPAR’s partnership with FoodForward SA reinforces its longstanding commitment to addressing societal challenges through collaboration and sustainable action.

“As a SPAR brand, we are committed to ensuring that our sustainability journey is inclusive and beneficial to all stakeholders,” Tabudi concluded.