Supporting entrepreneurs and the needy

THROUGH their involvement in artisanal markets in Port Elizabeth, SPAR Eastern Cape are able to support entrepreneurs while ploughing back much-needed resources into the local community.

“By supporting local artisanal markets like the Valley and Goodnight markets, we provide a platform for local entrepreneurs to showcase their goods,” SPAR Eastern Cape’s Roseann Shadrach said.

This also provided them with an opportunity to identify potential suppliers and to raise money for charitable organisations such as Love Story, she said. “We encourage our retailers to take full advantage of sourcing specific goods from local traders.”

The Valley Market takes place on the first Saturday of every month, with exhibitors ranging from confectioners to bakeries, suppliers of fruit and vegetables and producers of craft beers, wines, coffee and deli food.

The Goodnight Market, which is held on a selected Thursday from 5pm to 10pm, is a monthly gathering of Port Elizabeth’s top artisanal food vendors.

Both markets charge a small entrance fee, which is channelled to Love Story. According to founder Elaine Watson, Love Story helps look after the needs of the destitute in Nelson Mandela Bay through a variety of upliftment projects, education programmes and feeding schemes.

Watson said the retailer had been associated with the Valley Market since last year and had expanded their support to the Goodnight Market this year.

She said through proceeds raised at the markets, Love Story were able to support more than 20 soup kitchens, provide sandwiches to pupils and food parcels to needy families every month.

“Altogether we are able to serve more than 50 000 meals to the poor.

“We are truly thankful for the support from SPAR, which is providing a platform for local businesses and supporting the local economy through partnering with us,” Watson said.

“It is also a tremendous benefit for both events to be associated with a reputable brand such as SPAR.”

The next Valley Market is on June 3, and the next Goodnight Market on June 15. Both are based at the Tramways Building in Lower Valley Road.