(30 April 2021) Shoprite is further expanding its support of the Avian Park community in Worcester with a donation of 500 indigenous and fruit trees. This follows the success of various foods gardens and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in the community which the retailer has been supporting since 2018.
The newly launched home tree project in Avian Park is aimed at greening the community as well as growing food.
“This initiative will not only help us breathe some life into our environment but we will also be able to feed our families with fruit, which is a much-needed addition to our nutrition,” explained Mr Gerhard Carolus, Chairperson of the Avian Park Community Garden Club.
The Avian Park Community Garden Club coordinates 46 home-based food gardens which supports four soup kitchens, five crèches, a school and more than 500 elderly people who cannot afford to buy food for themselves.
“Our relationship with Shoprite dates back to 2018 when they invested in our community food garden as well as homestead gardens,” said Mr Carolus. “I do not know what we would do without Shoprite. With their support we are feeding hundreds of people who have no means to feed themselves.”
“We are piloting the home tree project in Avian Park because of how successful they have been in fighting hunger under difficult conditions,” commented Lunga Schoeman, CSI Manager for the Shoprite Group. “This new initiative is aimed at ensuring that the community becomes even more sustainable.”
