FoodForward SA’s Post

September is Albinism Awareness Month 🌍 Albinism is a genetic condition where individuals lack skin, hair, and eyes pigmentation. While it affects approximately 1 in 17,000 to 20,000 people in North America and Europe, the prevalence is notably higher in Africa, with some areas reporting rates as high as 1 in 1,000. – United Nations In South Africa, National Albinism Awareness Month is commemorated in September and is dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for the rights and protection of individuals with albinism. To shed light on this important issue, we spoke to FoodForward SA general worker, Thapelo Sebone at our Polokwane branch in Limpopo who shared his story: "I am the second of seven children and the only one with albinism in my family. I am grateful that my parents embraced this unique aspect of who I am. “I am married with four children. Living with albinism has shown me that I can achieve anything, often surpassing expectations. I prioritise self-improvement, embrace humour, and value the equal opportunities FoodForward SA provides, which supports my growth without discrimination." This month, let's continue to raise awareness, promote understanding, and advocate for inclusivity. Everyone deserves recognition and respect for their individuality. Donate👉🏻 https://lnkd.in/daNY7wRe #AlbinismAwareness #Inclusion #Diversity #FoodForwardSA #ThoughtLeadership

“The smallest act of charity can ignite a fire of hope." – Leo Evans Today we observe International Day of Charity—a reminder that even the smallest acts of charity can make a big impact. As South Africa's largest food distribution organisation, FoodForward SA plays a vital role in supporting over 2,500 NGOs across the country. With recent donations from valued partners like Pick n Pay, #OneFarmShare an initiative of HelloChoice® and Standard Bank Group, Rialto, Tiger Brands, Food Lover's Market Holdings, and RCL FOODS, we’re able to provide nutritious meals to nearly 1 million South Africans daily. Despite this progress, our mission is sustained entirely through private-sector partnerships and individual donations. The commitment of our partners and donors is essential to our goal of a hunger-free South Africa. In honour of International Day of Charity, we appeal to your generosity to support our ongoing efforts to provide healthy meals to those most in need—vulnerable women, children, the elderly, people living with disabilities, at-risk youth, and the homeless. 🌍 ❤️ Join us in making a lasting impact: https://lnkd.in/daNY7wRe #InternationalDayofCharity #FoodForwardSA #EndHunger #CorporateSocialResponsibility #Donate

We are proud to share that we have been selected as a 2024 Excellence and Innovation in Food Banking Awards finalist in the Outstanding Partnership category for our Food Gardens Connect programme! 🌱   We are honoured to be recognised for this work alongside so many incredible food banks around the world. Keep an eye out on Thursday, 12 September when the winners will be announced at The Global FoodBanking Network #GFNSummit2024 in Sydney, Australia! #FoodForwardSA #FoodGardensConnect #FFSA #GFN #FoodSecurity #FoodBanking

Food loss and waste are growing concerns as food production scales up to meet population demands. 🍽️ In 2022, FoodForward SA launched the #RepurposeTheSurplus campaign to advocate for the introduction of regulations around food donations and to encourage food system actors to donate surplus food. 💡We are pleased to report the following progress: Collaboration with the National Department of Health: We facilitated a visit to our Cape Town office to demonstrate our model's effectiveness, how food safety is prioritised, and how the redistribution of surplus food benefits the supply chain, the environment, and those who are food insecure. The Department has committed to including surplus food donation clauses in their revised front-of-pack labelling guidelines, expected to be published later this year. Engagement with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment (DFFE): In late 2023, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment (DFFE) released its draft strategy for Reducing Food Losses and Waste for public comment. This policy supports new regulations for food donations and encourages supply chain partners to donate surplus food rather than dumping it. Our efforts are focused on turning surplus food into valuable nourishment, reducing food waste and benefiting those in need. We look forward to further advancements and continued collaboration. #FoodWaste #FoodDonation #Sustainability #PolicyAdvocacy #RepurposeTheSurplus

New Staff Announcement We are excited to welcome two dynamic leaders to the FoodForward SA family! 🍏 Please join us in welcoming Mahbobah (Bobbie) Jacobs, our new fund development manager, and Sana Masemola, our new Johannesburg Warehouse Manager. Bobbie will drive our fundraising efforts, ensuring we continue growing and sustaining our impact. Sana will oversee operations at our Johannesburg Warehouse, ensuring efficient food distribution to those who need it most. We're thrilled to have them on board as we work together to combat hunger and make a difference in our communities. #NewBeginnings #WelcomeAboard #FoodForwardSA #Leadership #EndHunger

[BO Testimonial] “We’re also deeply grateful to FoodForward SA for their essential support, providing nutritious meals to those in need and enhancing our community's well-being.” – Itireleng Association for Physically Disabled. September is National Month of Deaf People, a time to raise awareness of the rights of deaf persons in South Africa.  In recognising this, we’re proud to partner with organisations like Itireleng Association which offers skills development programmes for people with physical disabilities.  The organisation has played a key role in empowering the lives of deaf individuals in their programme, integrating them into their community and preparing them for future opportunities. One standout member is the organisation’s cook, Sylvia Maropeng who is deaf and has found her place cooking healthy meals for the beneficiaries with the food supplied by FoodForward SA. Sylvia’s “exceptional cooking skills” are enjoyed by all of Itireleng’s beneficiaries, who are served nutritious meals daily. Let’s honour the contributions of people with disabilities and work towards a more inclusive society. 🙌 #NationalMonthOfDeafPeople #ItirelengAssociation #FoodForwardSA #Empowerment #InclusiveCommunity

“By 2030, 53% of the global population facing hunger will be concentrated in Africa. The prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in Africa (58.0%) is nearly double the global average.” #FoodSecurity #SDG #Hunger

[BO Feature] Just Grace is a non-profit organisation based in Langa, Cape Town – the oldest township in South Africa. The organisation was established in 2012 and their incredible and impactful work involves equipping at-risk youth to live out their full potential. #BeneficiaryOrganisation #SkillsDevelopment #FFSA #SDG

🌍🍽️ As a member of the The Global FoodBanking Network, we’re dedicated to fighting climate change while feeding those in need! 💪 Through our foodbanking programme we recover edible surplus food from farmers, manufacturers, and retailers—food that would otherwise end up in landfills. When food is wasted, it produces harmful methane gas, which harms the planet. 🌱🚫 Redirecting this surplus food to over 2,500 beneficiary organisations allows us to provide nutritious meals to nearly 1 million South Africans while also protecting the environment. In the last financial year, our efforts have prevented 113,152 tonnes of greenhouse gases from being released! 🌎 We’re not just serving meals; we’re also saving the planet, one meal at a time 🌍🍽️💚. #FoodForwardSA #GlobalFoodBankingNetwork #ClimateAction #FeedTheFuture #Sustainability #TogetherForChange