Community Food Gardens Create Market Opportunities for Small-Scale Farmers Across Southern Africa

Community food gardens are helping families access fresh produce while creating opportunities for local farmers to earn an income and develop valuable agricultural skills. More than 80 community food gardens across South Africa, Botswana and Namibia took part in the Shoprite Group’s annual Market Day on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. Their organically grown spring produce was sold to shoppers at selected Shoprite and Checkers stores, giving community growers direct access to customers. The initiative creates a practical link between small-scale food production and retail markets, while helping gardeners gain experience in selling their produce. It also highlights the important role that community agriculture can play in improving food security, supporting local livelihoods and strengthening small farming businesses.

Market Day gives participating gardens an opportunity to sell fresh vegetables, herbs and other seasonal produce in a retail environment. Instead of relying only on traditional community sales channels, growers can interact directly with shoppers and learn what customers look for when buying fresh food. This experience helps them understand the importance of presenting produce well, setting suitable prices and communicating with buyers. It also gives gardeners a chance to build confidence as they take on the responsibilities of running a small agricultural business. For many participants, the event offers more than a once-off sales opportunity because the skills they gain can support their future farming activities.

The participating gardens form part of more than 320 community food gardens supported by the Shoprite Group across southern Africa. These gardens contribute to regional food security by producing fresh food within the communities where people live. Access to locally grown vegetables can help households improve their diets while reducing their reliance on food purchased from distant suppliers. Community gardens can also provide a shared space where residents develop practical skills and work towards common goals. By supporting these projects, the programme seeks to strengthen local food production and create opportunities for communities to become more involved in their own food supply.

Sanjeev Raghubir, Chief Sustainability Officer at the Shoprite Group, said Market Day was about more than selling spinach, fresh herbs and seasonal produce. He explained that direct interaction between growers and shoppers creates opportunities for learning and relationship-building. The market setting allows sellers to become more confident while giving customers a chance to meet the people who grow their food. These exchanges can help shoppers understand the work involved in producing fresh vegetables and the value of supporting community growers. They also give farmers practical experience in customer relations, which is an important part of building a sustainable business.

The need to strengthen community food production is particularly important as South Africa continues to face serious household food security challenges. The latest South African Food Security Index, commissioned by the Shoprite Group, reported that 12% of households experienced hunger in 2025. This was the highest reported level since 2010. The index is now in its third year and measures food security by examining food availability, household access to food and dietary diversity. These measures show that food security involves more than whether food is available in shops. Households also need the financial means to obtain enough nutritious food and maintain a balanced diet.

Community food gardens can contribute to addressing these challenges by making fresh produce available closer to where people live. They can also support household nutrition by encouraging the production and consumption of vegetables and herbs. Where gardens produce more than their members or local feeding schemes require, selling surplus produce can create an additional source of income. This can help projects cover operating costs and invest in future production. However, gardens need suitable growing conditions, reliable access to water, agricultural knowledge and opportunities to reach customers if they are to remain productive over time.

One example featured during Market Day was the Qholaqhwe Garden Project near Phuthadithjaba in the Free State. The project began with the aim of creating employment opportunities for young people in the village while growing vegetables for a local crèche feeding scheme. Its work has since expanded into agroprocessing and agricultural training. This development shows how a community food garden can grow beyond its original purpose when it has the capacity and support to take on additional activities. The project now combines food production with opportunities to develop practical skills and support local economic participation.

Malebane Minah, Managing Director of the Qholaqhwe Garden Project, said the garden had grown from a small idea into a more sustainable initiative. She explained that agriculture can create jobs and bring communities together while providing food. One of the project’s proudest achievements is its ability to offer accredited training in crop production. This allows participants to learn practical farming skills that they can use to support themselves. The project demonstrates how community gardens can contribute to skills development and local employment alongside their role in improving access to fresh food.

The participation of gardens such as Qholaqhwe at Market Day also gives growers a chance to test their products in a customer-facing environment. Selling through a retail setting requires attention to quality, presentation and pricing. Growers must also communicate clearly with customers and keep accurate records of sales. These are important business skills for anyone who wants to develop a small farming operation. The experience can help participants identify which products attract interest and understand the expectations of buyers in the fresh produce market.

The Shoprite Group’s support extends beyond the annual Market Day event through its Act for Change programme. The programme has assisted hundreds of community food gardens with training, seedlings and infrastructure. These forms of support can help gardens improve their production capacity and address some of the practical challenges that affect small-scale growers. Access to seedlings gives participants a starting point for growing crops, while training helps them apply better production practices. Infrastructure support can also help gardens establish or improve the facilities they need to operate.

The annual Shoprite Act for Change Food Garden Competition provides another opportunity to recognise community gardening projects across the country. The second competition is underway, with collective prizes worth R1 million in support tailored to the needs of each garden. The competition aims to recognise the contribution of community food gardens to local nutrition, environmental sustainability and community development. Entries are open until 15 November 2027, and participation is free with no data costs for applicants. The initiative gives community gardening projects an opportunity to gain recognition and access support that can help them address their specific needs.

Market Day and the wider food garden programme highlight the value of connecting community agriculture with practical business opportunities. Producing vegetables is an important first step, but growers also need the skills and market access required to sell their harvest successfully. Initiatives that combine agricultural support, training and direct customer engagement can help community gardens become more capable and sustainable. They can also strengthen local food systems by keeping production and economic activity within communities. As food security remains a concern for many households, supporting community growers is one way to expand access to fresh produce while creating opportunities for people to develop agricultural skills and earn an income.

Raghubir described Market Day as an expression of the idea that where vegetables grow, so does hope. The participating gardeners demonstrate how local food production can support households, create jobs and strengthen communities. Their work also shows that small-scale farming can develop into wider activities such as training and agroprocessing when growers receive suitable support. Continued investment in community food gardens, together with opportunities to reach customers, can help more projects build their capacity and serve their communities. By linking fresh produce to market access and practical skills development, initiatives such as Market Day are helping community gardeners play a stronger role in southern Africa’s food security and local economies.

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