Cape Town - Food banking organisation FoodForward South Africa (FFSA) has launched a new fit-for-purpose warehouse in Cape Town.
According to FFSA, the 1 600m2 under-roof facility will better position the non-profit organisation to connect the world of surplus to a world of need, by scaling up and increasing its reach and impact across South Africa.
FFSA managing director Andy du Plessis said: “The new facility is an evolution of how we innovatively address food insecurity, allowing for larger warehouse space and cold chain capability, while also having our national head office under the same roof."
The NPO addresses widespread food insecurity using a unique model that involves the in-time recovery of quality, edible surplus food from the consumer goods supply chain and redistributing it to local organisations that implement feeding programmes in under-served communities.
The organisation then provides edible surplus food to 2 750 charities within its national network every month, reaching 950 000 vulnerable people daily with healthy, nutritious food.
Du Plessis said FFSA’s momentum would allow for further scaling up of its unique food banking model, making sure the organisation reached millions of South Africans suffering from malnutrition and severe hunger.
He said: “More than 10 million tons of good quality food is either lost or wasted in South Africa every year, while nearly 30 million people face moderate to severe food insecurity each month.
“Reducing food loss and waste is the third most cost-effective solution for fighting climate change. Therefore, recovering surplus food not only addresses food insecurity, but it also saves the environment.”
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the work FFSA does is essential to the health, dignity and well-being of the most vulnerable communities.
“I am encouraged and impressed by the significant impact and progress they are making to build a #ZeroHunger South Africa. With this new facility, I look forward to seeing FoodForward SA further expanding its operations, especially in the Western Cape, to continue helping those in need,” Winde said.
For over a decade @FoodForwardSA has filled the gap between food production & food waste, feeding millions of people in SA. It was my honour to help open their new state-of-the-art CT warehouse in Lansdowne. Well done! Thank for making a difference in our province. pic.twitter.com/nGoz7dwmn0