The hunger crisis in South Africa is catastrophic, with up to 20 million citizens estimated to be undernourished. This includes countless children who wake up with empty stomachs and go to sleep without sufficient food. This has been an urgent concern, or rather a crisis, for over 30 years.
The devastating reality is that South Africa does not have a food shortage; the issue lies in food management. Each year, 7-10 million tons of edible food end up in landfills—enough for 30 billion meals. This amount could feed all 20 million citizens affected by hunger.
Yet, amidst this dire situation, heroes emerge who see the problem and take action.
These heroes provide sustainable solutions to gradually alleviate hunger and improve the standard of living for all South Africans.
Introducing S.A. Harvest! Since their inception in 2019 with just one van in Cape Town, they have made significant strides toward ending hunger in South Africa. Over nearly six years, they have provided 53 million nutritious meals in 48 months, delivering a total of 59.33 million meals. They employ a revolutionary approach by rescuing nutritious food destined for landfills and distributing it for free, while also addressing the systemic causes of hunger through advocacy and education.
Their latest initiative, the #BucketOfNutrition Challenge, aims to be a powerful hunger relief effort in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg throughout July. Here’s how it works:
1. Register to participate on the S.A. Harvest website.
2. Purchase ingredients to fill your bucket.
3. Choose and decorate your brightest bucket.
4. Pack your ingredients.
5. Share your experience online to inspire others.
6. Deliver your bucket to a participating mall in Cape Town or other designated areas.
“We intercept food before it goes to waste and redirect it to needy communities across the country,” says the S.A. Harvest team.
As S.A. Harvest works tirelessly to bridge the hunger gap, let us also be motivated to intercept and create change in our country. By doing so, we can transform homes and lives, one at a time, ensuring that everyone has the right to go to bed with a satisfied stomach.
