A group of children have grown and donated 200kg of spinach to 50 soup kitchens in Stellenbosch and surrounding areas to help feed the vulnerable and needy!
Stellenbosch, South Africa (18 February 2021) – A vegetable garden project at an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD) in the community of Klapmuts in the Western Cape has reached out to support feeding schemes all across Stellenbosch.
On Wednesday 10 February 2021, Klapmuts Junior Academy donated 200kg of spinach to Feeding in Action, an NGO that serves over 50 feeding points in Stellenbosch and surrounds. Last year, the garden donated spinach plants in buckets to over 30 ECD centres in Kayamandi and Klapmuts.
“Fresh vegetables are an important ingredient for the preparation of nutritious, well-balanced meals. Good nutrition is a very important factor in boosting immunity in order to combat malnutrition. We appreciate the generous contribution of spinach to assist SFA towards meeting the need for fresh produce at our various feeding points,” says Liesel Koen from Stellenbosch Feeding in Action.
The garden was established during the lockdown in 2020 with the assistance of Stellenbosch-based NPO, Ranyaka Community Transformation and green technology experts, African Data Technologies. The installation of the vegetable tunnel and initial garden set-up was co-sponsored by donors from the United States, Nedbank and BUCO.
A local resident from Klapmuts, Francois Fredericks, manages the garden at Klapmuts Junior Academy (KJA) on a full-time basis. He has the vision to involve young people from his community in the project – both to teach them valuable skills that will support food security in their families and the broader community, as well as to “get them off the streets and out of trouble!” Small-scale permaculture farmer, Nicholas van der Westhuizen, provides weekly training at the site and together, one square metre at a time, they are transforming the land surrounding the church property on which the ECD centre is located into a veritable treasure trove of veggies and herbs.
KJA principal, Fagma Swart, believes that food gardens at ECD centres also provide a valuable learning opportunity for the children.
“I think it is so important for young children to learn about the importance of growing their own food. Working in the garden is also good for the children emotionally – and they get their daily dose of vitamin D at the same time!” says Swart.
Nedbank’s Proud of my Town programme continues to support the costs related to running the garden. Stellenbosch-based businesses and donors who would like to contribute to the project and also support the establishment of food gardens at other ECD centres are invited to contact Sonya Olivier at admin@ranyaka.co.za.
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