13 October 2023
Emerging farmers from 40 community food gardens across the country sold their fresh and organically grown produce directly to the public as part of Shoprite and Checkers’ Market Day on Thursday, 12 October 2023.
Since its launch in 2017, Market Day is part of the retailer’s commitment to support and strengthen the local communities in which it trades and serves as an opportunity for small-scale food gardens to sell their produce at selected Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets.
“We’re always excited about participating in Market Day because Checkers’ footprint enables us to sell to a larger audience. Not only do we gain invaluable retail experience, but the response from the public is always fantastic and we’re able to supplement our income.”
- Mpho Mutaung from the Carroll Shaw Memorial Centre in Randfontein
The Shoprite Group is committed to ensuring food security in communities and supports more than 220 food gardens – covering more than 4.5 million m2 – and over 3 750 home gardens, indirectly impacting 61 064 beneficiaries. The retailer’s garden programme has provided 2 580 community members with training over the past year and has supplied more than 1 million meals since inception.
Sibonile Agricultural Co-operative representatives, Alias Sithole and Daphney Mahaule at Shoprite Acornhoek Mall.
The gardens who participated in Market Day include:
EASTERN CAPE:
- Phawu Agripak Cooperative – Shoprite Dutywa
- Siyalima Asidlali Co-operative – Shoprite Mount Ayliff
- Star Uplifting Centre – Shoprite King Williams Town
- Wathint’ Abafazi – Shoprite Ziyabuya, Gqeberha
- Yizanazo Co-operative – Shoprite Gillwell, East London
FREE STATE:
- Community Working Programme – Usave Koffiefontein
- Dikonyana Community Based Care Center – Shoprite Heidedal, Bloemfontein
- Free State Rural Women Assembly Agroecological Hub – Shoprite Botshabelo Mall
- Phahamang Basadi – Checkers Parys 2
- Qholaqhwe – Shoprite Mandela Park, Phuthaditjhaba
GAUTENG:
- Carroll Shaw Memorial Centre – Checkers Tambotie Mall, Randfontein
- Dithaka Dikopane Cooperative – Checkers Southgate, Johannesburg
- Mahata Mmoho Agricultural Cooperative – Checkers Hyper Vanderbijlpark
- Mmakgomo Agricultural Cooperative – Checkers Pretoria North
- NOSA Early Learning and Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s Centre – Checkers Wonderpark, Karenpark, Akasia
- Siyakhula/Reahola – Checkers Grey Owl Midstream, Centurion
Khula Nathi's Siboniseni Myeza, at Shoprite Mount Edgecombe for the Shoprite Checkers market day.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
- God’s Acres – Shoprite Raisethorpe, Pietermaritzburg
- Iqabungelihle – Checkers Virginia Circle, Durban
- Khula Nathi – Shoprite Mount Edgecombe
- Siyakhula Community Project – Shoprite Gingindlovu
- Siyaphambili Womens Club – Checkers Amanzimtoti
- Siyazondla kwaPhindangene – Shoprite Ulundi
- Velemseni Farming Group – Shoprite Estcourt
- Yenzanathi Community Upliftment Project – Checkers Foods Hillcrest (The Colony)
LESOTHO:
Action Lesotho – Shoprite Leribe, Butha-Buthe
LIMPOPO:
- Marubini Multi-Purpose Women’s Primary Cooperative – Checkers Makhado Crossing, Makhado
- Ndlovu Care Group – Shoprite Dennilton, Groblersdal
- Ratanang Agricultural Cooperative Limited – Shoprite Mankweng, Polokwane
- We Can Women’s Development Cooperative – Shoprite Paledi, Polokwane
MPUMALANGA:
- Ploughs and Feathers Co-operative – Checkers New Hazyview Junction
- Sibonile Agricultural Co-operative – Shoprite Acornhoek Mall
- Timbavati – Shoprite Acornhoek Plaza
NORTH WEST:
- Bakgatla ba Motsetlha – Shoprite Temba, Hammanskraal
- Tshenolo Primary Co-operative – Shoprite Taung
WESTERN CAPE:
- Jesus in Action Our Garden – Checkers Protea Heights, Brackenfell
- Mhani Gingi – Checkers Constantia
- Mthimkhulu Community Development Programme – Shoprite Kleinmond
- Ocean View Organics Farmers Cooperative – Checkers Hyper Sun Valley, Noordhoek
- Siyazama Community Project – Checkers Somerset West
- Vulamasango – Checkers Weltevreden, Mitchells Plain