FoodBank South Africa

Mayor of the Ethekwini Municipality, Councillor Obed Mlaba addressed more than 200 guests at the official launch of FoodBank Durban (FoodBank DBN), at the warehouse in Briardene, the first Community FoodBank to open in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday 21 July.

He spoke of the prevalence of poverty and illiteracy in the province, and hoped the pooling of resources to create the newest NGO would benefit the community.

Muzi Nkala, Executive Director of FoodBank DBN told the audience, including Ms. Njabulo Nduli, Director General, Dept of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and representatives from the Department of Social Development that as soon as the day’s festivities had ended the food would be delivered to more than 100 community beneficiary agencies.

“But we must create sustainable relationships with donating organisations to carry on filling our warehouse,” he said.
The foodbank 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.

Mayor Mlaba and Ms. Njabulo Nduli take a tour of the new warehouse.

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

Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana described the Rural FoodBanking system and pilot programme being established which will lessen rural communities becoming dependant on foodbanks by becoming self sufficient through several programmes, including planting vegetable gardens and sewing programmes.

Children from the beneficiary agency Sinothando Noah’s Ark Centre in Pinetown entertained the guests with Zulu songs.

Zulu Dancers from Sinthando Noah's Ark Centre perform for the visiting dignatories at the launch event.

The FoodBank SA model, established in March 2009 after 18 months of planning, is a collaboration between the grocery products industry, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and government ministries to align programmes and resources to get more food to more people. This model has been tried and tested in more than twenty countries around the world since it was conceived about 40 years ago.