The Bloemfontein-based Dikonyana Community Based Care Centre is reaping the rewards of investing in small-scale organic fresh produce.
Members of this thriving fresh produce project participated in the Shoprite group’s market day on 7 June, selling a range of fresh produce from the retailer’s shelf at Shoprite Heidedal.
Members of Dikonyana operates from Namibia in Bloemfontein. This was their first time selling from Shoprite. The first time ever was in 2019, at another retailer.
Selina Majafi, spokesperson and co-founder, has expressed joy at being afforded this chance.
“We managed to sell most our fresh produce, and it was unbelievable getting good support from the public, buying our products. The main challenge is that we produce for a small market, while the market is big,” said Majafi.
This nationwide initiative affords small-scale fresh produce projects to access the market, thereby bolstering the food chain.
“This was an eye-opener for us,” said Majafi.
The sales of organic fresh produce were up by 3% in 2022, reaching $9,4 billion, according to the 2022 Organic Produce Performance Report from Organic Produce Network and Category Partners.
Volume, however, dropped by 3,7% for the year. Total fresh produce sales rose by 7,3% for the same year, while overall volume decreased by 1,3%. Organic fresh produce accounted for 12% of all fresh produce sales and 7% of all fresh produce volume.
Dikonyana started off small in 2004 with four women, and was only registered in 2012. Currently there are 12 members actively involved: two men and ten women.
“This was prompted by the severe situation of children from impoverished families. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic saw more children depending on us, and the project is a source of survival for many Covid-19 victims,” said Majafi.
The centre was one of the four fresh produce projects in the Free State that participated in the retail group’s initiative. The others are the Ntsoanatsatsi Community Garden and Qholaqhwe Garden Project from Qwaqwa, and the Free State Rural Women Assembly Agroecological Hub from Botshabelo.
These Free State-based fresh and organically grown produce projects are part of the 35 community food gardens to sell directly to the public.
The market day initiative was first introduced in 2017 to extend support to the several small-scale food gardens that Shoprite and Checkers partner with.
This initiative forms part of the retail group’s market day, aimed at empowering organic fresh producers to sell and boost food security programme.
Fresh and organic produce, such as spinach, green peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce, and green beans were made available.
