FoodForward SA packs 1.2 million meals for Mandela Day

Thousands of South Africans marked Mandela Day by lending a helping hand as FoodForward SA’s annual food packing campaign produced 1.2 million meals for vulnerable communities across the country.

More than 5,200 volunteers gathered in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town on 17 July, dedicating their 67 minutes of service to sorting and packing nutritious food that will be distributed through FoodForward SA’s national network.

Thousands unite to support communities in need

In total, volunteers sorted and packed more than 300 tonnes of nutritious food, enough to provide 1.2 million meals for distribution to more than 2,200 beneficiary organisations. These include early childhood development (ECD) centres, community kitchens and shelters that form part of food assistance programmes reaching over 862,820 people every day.

Picture: Supplied

FoodForward SA Managing Director Andy Du Plessis said Mandela Day continues to demonstrate how individual acts of service can make a meaningful difference when people work together.

“Mandela Day is a powerful annual reminder that small, intentional actions, when multiplied by thousands of hands, create monumental change,” said Du Plessis.

He added that every food item packed represents nutritional security, dignity and hope for families experiencing hunger during the winter months, while thanking corporate partners, donors and volunteers for their support.

Across all three cities, volunteers worked together to sort more than 400 pallets of food during the nationwide initiative.

Spotlight on food insecurity

While South Africa is regarded as food secure at a national level, FoodForward SA said many households continue to face serious food insecurity.

According to the organisation, citing Stats SA, an estimated 18 million people in South Africa go to bed hungry, while more than 1,000 children died from malnutrition last year.

Picture: Supplied

At the same time, the organisation said 10 million tonnes of mostly edible surplus food, more than a third of the country’s food production, is lost or wasted each year.

FoodForward SA said it addresses this challenge by recovering quality surplus food from across the supply chain and redistributing it through its food security programmes.

Du Plessis said the Mandela Day campaign highlights what can be achieved when businesses, donors, volunteers and civil society work together to support people facing hardship.

“The food packed on Mandela Day offers essential relief to thousands of families navigating the difficult winter months, demonstrating the powerful impact of coming together to make a difference, one contribution at a time.”