FoodBank South Africa

FoodBank Durban will distribute more than 50 tonnes of food a month to surrounding areas from their new warehouse in Briardene. The 1 088 m² warehouse is equipped with cold storage and freezer facilities - allowing for more nutritious meals including fresh produce.

"We can now distribute more food, and of a greater variety," Muzi Nkala, Executive Director of FoodBank Durban said. "Previously the different organisations have been sourcing food from the same sources, but now we speak with one voice on behalf of communities."

FoodBank Durban procures good quality food, which is donated by the food and grocery industries, government agencies, individuals, and other organisations. The food is safely stored, using refrigeration where required, sorted into nutritionally sensible packages, and delivered to beneficiary agencies such as schools, soup kitchens and HIV/AIDS clinics. More than 120 beneficiaries receive food from FoodBank Durban and it's satellite operation in Pietermaritzburg.

Ntomby Ngema, Operations Manager of the first foodbank for KwaZulu-Natal said, "We hope to reach out to very rural, very remote areas, where there is such a great need for food."

Food is delivered to beneficiary organisations after they have been assessed based on need. But they are urged, with the help of FoodBank Durban, to become self sufficient within a year, when they are re-assessed.

FoodBank Durban has several programmes to help people in the community build skills to become sustainable, including planting vegetable gardens and sewing programmes.

"We believe people need to help themselves and not just depend on us," said Ngema.

FoodBank Durban will distribute food to areas within a 100km radius of Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

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