Small-scale farmers from across South Africa will set up stalls inside selected Shoprite and Checkers stores this Thursday, 6 November, bringing fresh vegetables and inspiring stories straight from their community gardens to shoppers’ doorsteps.
More than 80 community food gardens will participate in this year’s Market Day – a nationwide event that gives emerging farmers a chance to sell their produce, share their experiences, and showcase how local growing projects are strengthening food security in communities across the country.
The annual celebration comes with an exciting twist this year. Shoprite has launched a new competition that could award up to R1 million in prizes to exceptional community food gardens. The Act For Change Food Garden Competition recognizes gardens making outstanding contributions to nutrition, environmental care, and community development.
Market Day serves as more than just a sales opportunity. Participating farmers gain valuable retail experience through direct customer interactions while promoting farming methods that protect the environment and ensure long-term food security.
“Market Day is a celebration of everyday heroes – growing change from the ground up,” says Sanjeev Raghubir, Chief Sustainability Officer at the Shoprite Group. “This year, we’re building on that momentum with the new Act For Change Food Garden Competition, which introduces an exciting layer of recognition and support for the growers driving real impact in their communities.”
The competition prizes include practical assistance such as irrigation systems, shade netting, and training programs – tools that could help community gardens become even more productive.
Shoprite’s commitment to community food gardens spans more than ten years. The retailer has invested in nearly 300 community gardens, which together produced over 106,000 kilograms of fresh produce last year alone. This harvest has helped put nutritious food on tables across South Africa and neighboring countries.
Shoppers visiting participating stores on Thursday will have the chance to meet garden representatives, learn about innovative growing techniques, and discover the powerful impact these projects have on their communities.
Gardens from all nine South African provinces, plus Lesotho and Namibia, will participate in Market Day. The Eastern Cape leads with eight participating projects, followed by Gauteng with 14 and KwaZulu-Natal with 13.
Projects range from women’s development cooperatives to youth initiatives and senior citizen centers, showing how community gardens bring people together across age groups and backgrounds.
Those interested in entering the Act For Change Food Garden Competition have until 30 November to submit their applications. Entry is free and available on the Shoprite website with no data costs.
ALSO READ: Harvesting change: Shoprite’s R1-million food garden competition launches
By connecting local gardeners directly with customers, Market Day demonstrates how community collaboration can create meaningful change – proving that even the smallest seed can grow into something transformative.
Market Day takes place on Thursday, 6 November at:
| Province | Participating stores |
| Eastern Cape | Shoprite Mdantsane City • Shoprite Sterkspruit • Shoprite Ziyabuya • Checkers Nahoon • Shoprite Gillwell • Checkers Metlife Mall • Shoprite Struandale-kenako • Checkers Vincent |
| Free State | Shoprite Bethlehem • Shoprite Botshabelo Mall • Shoprite Harrismith • Shoprite Botshabelo • Shoprite Setsing • Shoprite Thaba Nchu |
| Gauteng | Checkers Mall Of The South • Checkers Northriding • Checkers Tambotie Mall Randfontein • Checkers Wilrogate • Checkers Hyper Vanderbijlpark • Checkers Pretoria North • Checkers Wonderpark • Checkers Grey Owl Midstream • Checkers Silver Lakes • Checkers FX Noordheuwel • Checkers FX Lintons Corner • Checkers Hyper FX Kempton Park • Checkers Columbine Square • Checkers Southgate |
| KwaZulu-Natal | Shoprite Nquthu • Shoprite Eshowe • Shoprite Raisethorpe • Checkers Durban North • Checkers Davenport Rd • Shoprite Amanzimtoti • Shoprite Mini Nkandla • Checkers FX Amanzimtoti • Shoprite Gingindlovu • Checkers Hyper Galleria • Shoprite Ulundi • Shoprite Estcourt • Checkers FX Watercrest |
| Limpopo | Shoprite Mphephu • Shoprite Maake • Shoprite Namakgale • Shoprite Elim • Shoprite Dennilton • Shoprite Mankweng • Shoprite Paledi |
| Mpumalanga | Checkers Hyper Klipfontein • Checkers Hyper Ermelo • Checkers Hyper Secunda Mall • Checkers New Hazyview Junction • Shoprite Acornhoek Mall • Shoprite Acornhoek Plaza • Checkers Ermelo |
| Northern Cape | Checkers Kuruman • Usave Griekwastad • Shoprite Kuruman |
| North West | Shoprite Lethlabile • Shoprite Temba • Shoprite Boitekong • Shoprite Mini Koster • Shoprite Mahikeng Mall • Shoprite Mini Lethlabile 2 • Shoprite Moruleng • Checkers Hyper Rustenburg • Shoprite Potchefstroom |
| Western Cape | Shoprite Knysna • Shoprite Parow Park • Checkers FX Protea Heights • Shoprite Group Home Office (7 November) • Shoprite Kleinmond |
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