Breaking the cycle of food insecurity

Q&A with

— Woolworths Head of Transformation

Why is “food security” so important for Woolworths?

Woolworths is one of South Africa’s big five food retailers so providing good food to South Africans via our national network of stores is crucial to the sustainability of our business. We source over 90% of our food products locally, so we play an active role in ensuring that food production and farming is viable and grows with our nation’s growing needs. Everyone has the right to access food either via retailers or being able to grow their own food. Consequently, for more than 12 years we have been actively involved in a number of food security initiatives, teaching and supporting communities and rural farmers.

What role does Woolworths play in addressing food security in South Africa?

fresh, sustainably grown fruit and vegetables thanks to the EduPlant programme.

Emerging farmers are crucial to the sustainability of food production in South Africa and they offer us an opportunity to expand and diversify our supplier base as well as to introduce innovation in our food offering. We have a proactive Enterprise and Supplier Development programme which identifies, supports and creates a market for small black businesses and enterprises. A sizable contribution is made to agriculture and food production.

Our existing, established food suppliers employ thousands of South Africans and play a vital role in helping South Africa become more food secure. Five years ago we launched our Farming for the Future initiative which ensures the sustainability and sustained growth of our farming community. The initiative focuses on sustainable farming methods and ensures that our farmers are adapting to climate change, minimising their reliance on artificial inputs and helping them increase their yields by farming more efficiently.

What has Woolworths done this year in acknowledgment of World Food Day?