Shoprite’s network of community food gardens has reached a major milestone, with the Zero Organic Waste to Landfill Project outside Bredasdorp officially recognised as the 300th garden in its programme.
Set within the Cape Agulhas Municipality Materials Recovery Facility, the garden is a partnership between the local authority and the Zero Waste Association of South Africa (ZWASA). What began in 2021 as a project focused on diverting biodegradable material from landfill and turning it into nutrient-rich compost has since evolved, expanding into food production in 2024.
Today, it operates as a circular system that brings organic matter, soil and food production into one continuous cycle. Food waste from around 800 local homes is collected, sorted and composted on-site, before being returned to the soil as nutrient-dense material that grows vegetables just metres away – produce that is then sold locally.
Because of its proximity to a large informal settlement, fresh organic produce moves only a short distance from soil to table, making it more easily accessible to the surrounding community.
The garden is tended to throughout the week by a small team of eight, under the guidance of a dedicated ZWASA Farm Manager, Anine Swart. Approximately 700 square metres are currently under active cultivation on a five-hectare site.
Beyond food production, the garden also hosts monthly workshops where community members can learn practical farming skills. Planned upgrades include the establishment of a nursery to support seedling production, as well as improved planting-bed layouts to protect soil and crops from erosion and extreme weather.
For those involved in the project, the impact is both practical and personal. “To grow healthy food, you need healthy soil,” says Swart. “We take what people throw away from their kitchens and bring it back to the soil as compost. It’s not just about feeding people – it’s about feeding them well. More communities should have access to gardens like this because when people have healthy food, they have a healthier life.”
A long-term commitment to food security
For more than a decade, the Shoprite Group has supported community food gardens across South Africa, helping to strengthen food security, create local opportunity and improve access to fresh produce.
Support from the retailer for this programme focuses on agricultural training and mentorship, irrigation systems, tools and water-harvesting infrastructure, all aimed at increasing output while reducing pressure on municipal water supplies.
“Celebrating the milestone of 300 community food gardens is a meaningful moment for us, and we will continue to invest in communities through this programme,” says Sanjeev Raghubir, Chief Sustainability Officer at the Shoprite Group. “The support we provide to each garden is tailored to and shaped by its environment and the needs of the local community it serves. In Bredasdorp, local collaboration and regenerative thinking are helping to turn what was once considered waste into a resource, strengthening food security in a practical and lasting way.”
For the Cape Agulhas Municipality, the project demonstrates how underutilised land can be brought into productive use while addressing waste management challenges. “This project is a practical and inspiring example of how partnerships can turn challenges into something that works for both people and the environment,” says Wessel Rabbets, Cape Agulhas Municipality Manager.
For more information on the Shoprite Group’s community food garden programme and its impact across South Africa, visit Shopriteholdings.co.za.
