If you take a moment to digest the statistics around the amount of food we waste today, it can be pretty overwhelming. It is thought that around one third of the food produced around the globe is lost or wasted. Richer countries waste something like 222 million tonnes per year, in Europe and North America that equates to 95-115kg of food per person, per year. The numbers are … [Read more...]
Pick n Pay launches ‘nude’ fruit and vegetable wall
Pick n Pay on Monday launched a ‘nude’ fruit and vegetable produce wall - a dedicated plastic and packaging-free zone - in 13 stores across the country as part of a trial to measure customers’ readiness to switch from pre-packaged food to loose products. Retail Executive, Commercial at Pick n Pay, Paula Disberry, said plastic waste remained a concern for many customers, and … [Read more...]
Drought adaptation DIY style: steps to save water
January was not for chickens in the Cape – extreme drought and fires saw the gardens shrivel up and die. So sad to witness and feel the distress all round. Once our veggie plants got stressed the diseases followed. Watching your water consumption with Stage 3 water restrictions and growing food without the farmer’s concessions calls for innovation. How to capture each … [Read more...]
Why your life depends on healthy soil
In the first of a series of articles on growing your own food, Valerie Payn starts at the root of the matter – how human health depends on fertile soil. “Healthy societies depend on healthy soil, healthy soil depends on healthy biology, and healthy biology depends on what goes into the soil,” said Sir Albert Howard, one of the 18C founders of the organic movement who became … [Read more...]
Say ‘no’ to food waste this festive season
The festive season, with all its glorious food is with us! The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) calls on all residents to be mindful of their food spend this time of year and gives some tips on composting organic waste. 9.04 million tonnes of food waste per year South Africa generates a staggering amount of approximately 9.04 million tonnes of food … [Read more...]
Save food – follow consumption best practice this season
More than 9 million tonnes of food is wasted in our country every year, whilst 12 million South Africans are food insecure, says the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Food wastage happens all the way along the value chain – from production and transport to storage and retail. Food is one of the 3 core building blocks of sustainability, hence this wastage … [Read more...]
Over 450 fruit trees planted in Khayelitsha
Greenpop and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) partnered to plant fruit trees and indigenous vegetation at the Abalimi Bezekhaya community gardens in Khayelitsha. During the day over 400 fruit trees, windbreaks and indigenous medicinal shrubs and ground coverswere planted to reestablish the farm's windbreaks, create mini food forests, and encourage … [Read more...]
Food forest planned for the Overberg
Greyton Transition Town (GTT), part of the global Transition Town Network, is bringing the communities of Greyton, Genadendal and neighbouring villages together to find local solutions to the global challenges of climate change and peak oil. Food security is a critical issue with many residents of these Overberg villages going to bed hungry because they can't afford the … [Read more...]
Green guerrillas inspire Fish Hoek’s earth buddies
Akim Riemer wears doc martins, a ragged vest, a green bandana and dark glasses. There is a raw energy here that wants to spread like wildfire. I don’t need to see his eyes to know that they flash with insight and delight with his every new idea. Riemer believes that the core element to sustain a new earthy project at Fish Hoek Primary school is RAW ENERGY. It will come from … [Read more...]
Stoep Harvest part 6: Harvesting weeds
So far in the Stoep Harvest series we have covered how to plan your organic vegetable garden, increase your soil health, plant your crops and make compost. Last month we looked at the benefits of mulching. Today I am writing about weeding and pruning in the organic garden. Your garden should now be in full swing, with food growing all over the place. In our (large) vegetable … [Read more...]
Woolworths farmers are ‘farming for the future’
The latest audits of Woolworths 15 largest fruit and vegetable growers, who supply some 37% of Woolies fresh produce on a total area of about 45 000 hectares, show that Farming for the Future, Woolworths pioneering holistic approach to farming, is achieving what it sets out to do: help farmers grow quality produce while protecting the environment, preserving natural resources … [Read more...]
Porter estate market
...any fresher and pigs might fly. Porter's is a fresh food market, no mistake. The smell of moer koffie and bacon greet you. 'We styled it after old European markets where people come to hand-select fresh produce and catch up with friends,' said Gail Coetzee, the market manager, in a polo-neck jersey with her hair in a pony tail. "About a quarter of the stalls are … [Read more...]
Local farmers feeling effects of climate change
Prolonged drought, aseasonal cold spells and extreme temperature highs in occasional years all negatively impact farmers by reducing agricultural production through a loss of livestock or crops. What then, are the possible impacts of global climate change; which predicts temperature increases of between ~ 2 to 4oC and more variable rainfall by the end of the 21st … [Read more...]
