#FOODHEROES TAKE ACTION FOR WORLD FOOD DAY
On October 16, the world united in recognition of World Food Day, which each year highlights the UN’s goal of achieving #zerohunger by 2030. This year, 2020, the 75th year of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO), is marked by the exacerbation of food insecurity in the world due to Covid-19.
More than two billion people do not have continuous access to nutritious food; 690 million people are hungry, and the FAO estimates that the pandemic could increase this by 132 million people.
Woolies has a long-standing commitment to supporting food security in South Africa, and over the past six months we have donated more than 1.5 million meals to families battling the impacts of Covid-19. We continue with our efforts by committing to the donation of a further 1-million meals through the Christmas period.
BE A FOOD HERO
With its theme, Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together. Our Actions are our Future, #WorldFoodDay urges us all to be #foodheroes. Everyone can take action by volunteering at nutrition programmes in your community; donating to food security projects; choosing local, seasonal produce; reducing food waste; growing some of your own food at home, or just eating healthy foods.
Since hard lockdown, the Woolies “Fill a bag” campaign has brought us together with communities, our customers and our trusted NGO partner, disaster relief organisation Gift of the Givers.
In consultation with our dietitian, wellbalanced food care packs have been distributed to families in need or in quarantine. Our #foodheroes customers have given money and product donations to supplement Woolworths’ donation to help fill a bag or feed their community when they’ve shopped instore. Many have encouraged family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and chat groups to do the same.
FOOD RELIEF
In partnership with Woolworths, Infinity Culinary Training (ICT), a non-profit chef school, has cooked 3,000 meals a day, initially at Woolworths head office product development kitchen before being allowed back onto their premises. ICT has distributed nearly 400,000 meals to various charity organisations in the Cape Town city area.
But the pandemic is not over, and the spectre of hunger in South Africa is looming large. With our firm commitment to #zerohunger by 2030, Woolies is determined to amplify momentum in the country’s food relief efforts. 1.5-million meals have already been provided, and we will scale up to provide another 1-million meals over the next three months to see vulnerable families through the Christmas season.
It actually takes so little to do so much. Most people don’t realise that R10 can provide one person with three balanced meals. We’re inviting our customers to be #food heroes. There are different ways to make a difference and every little bit does help.
Together. We can make a difference.