The aroma of fresh herbs and the vibrant colours of homegrown vegetables transformed retail aisles into community marketplaces this week as local gardeners stepped into the spotlight to showcase the fruits of their labour and the power of grassroots food security.
Shoppers were greeted by rows of fresh spinach, fragrant herbs and baskets of homegrown produce lining selected Shoprite and Checkers stores nationwide on Thursday 6 November. The displays marked the retailer’s annual Market Day, showcasing the harvests from more than 70 community food gardens, including four from the Western Cape, among them Our Garden and the Mthimkhulu Community Development Programme.
What began in 2017 as an undertaking to connect small-scale farmers with customers and enable communities to feed themselves in a sustainable way, has grown into a vibrant celebration of community resilience, food security and local entrepreneurship. Market Day gives local gardeners and co-operatives the chance to sell their produce directly to the public, gain retail experience and strengthen the roots of small businesses that feed their neighbourhoods, and this year was no different.
Blending skills, stories and sustainability, Market Day gave visitors the chance to meet the gardeners and learn about innovative, community-driven growing methods. Customers could stock up on onions, beetroot and cabbage, choose from fresh parsley, coriander and mint, and enjoy seasonal fruits like papayas, pineapples and watermelons. Some stalls offered moringa powder, peanuts and medicinal plants such as soap aloe, while others sold seedlings to encourage home gardening.
“Market Day is about building livelihoods from the ground up,” said Sanjeev Raghubir, Chief Sustainability Officer at the Shoprite Group. “It’s inspiring to see how each garden uses this opportunity to grow, not only in sales, but in confidence, connections, and long-term impact.”
According to the recently published South African Food Security Index 2025, food access and affordability remain among the country’s most pressing challenges. Community food gardens are helping to bridge that gap by feeding and uplifting communities, while fostering agricultural knowledge and sustainable livelihoods.
Local gardener Petrus Johannes Scheepers from Our Garden at Jesus in Action took part in his first Market Day at Shoprite Parow Park. Scheepers said it was deeply rewarding to see people buying their produce. “We put so much hard work into the garden as a team, so it’s an honour when people appreciate what we’ve grown. But it’s not just about selling vegetables. We also give food to those who simply can’t afford it. It’s become a cycle of giving the garden feeds us and we feed our community.”
Beyond Market Day, Shoprite continues to support community gardens through its Act For Change programme, which to date has assisted almost 300 gardens with training, seedlings and infrastructure. Many of the gardens are led by women and young people, improving access to fresh food while creating jobs and strengthening local food systems.
This year’s Market Day also coincided with the launch of the Act For Change Food Garden Competition, which will invest R1 million to help community gardens thrive. The competition recognises innovation, sustainability and social impact and the top six winners will receive tailored support based on their garden’s needs, from tools and infrastructure to training and resources. Entries close on 30 November.
“Every seed planted represents hope – for people, for communities and for a more sustainable future,” says Raghubir.
• How to enter the Act For Change Food Garden Competition: Be 18 years or older, represent a community-based food garden (private home garden, private companies and close corporations are not allowed to enter), include a short description of the garden’s history, purpose and community impact, and upload photos of the garden as part of the entry.
