SA Harvest is taking a revolutionary approach in the pursuit to end hunger in South Arca by exposing flaws in the current food ecosystem. Further, they are creating a food rescue initiative.
Leading logistics companies have responded with speed and generosity to help food rescue organisations SA Harvest to address hunger and devastation.
These include Waterford Carriers from Johannesburg and Time Link Cargo from Cape Town, along with additional logistical support from Bex Carriers and Bulldog Hauliers. “Their contribution is incalculable and made the provision of over 90 tons of food, toiletries, baby food, nappies and other essentials possible within a matter of days,” says SA Harvest CEO Alan Browde.
SA Harvest’s response to the rioting and looting began immediately as the severity of the damage and the growing shortages became evident. Since launching in September 2019, SA Harvest has built up a strong infrastructure, logistical and technology capabilities, and was therefore able to respond immediately and efficiently.
Ending hunger in SA
SA Harvest was established in 2019 when around 14 million people were going hungry every day. Since then, the need has increased due to the extended lockdown and consequent increase in unemployment to unprecedented levels.
The organisation is taking a revolutionary approach to ending hunger by addressing its systemic root causes, leveraging innovative technology, and simultaneously tackling the immediate need through rescuing nutritious food that would have gone to waste and delivering it where it’s needed most.
Logistical needs
SA Harvest has a fleet of refrigerated and other vehicles operating from warehouses in Briardene in Durban, Epping in Cape Town and Sandton in Johannesburg. A proprietary technology platform is being built to enhance the organisation’s logistics capability, which will help enhance the efficiency of the entire food rescue supply chain. Browde says, “this platform will allow for knowledge and data sharing with NGOs and other key stakeholders and bring about the collaboration needed to build solutions. It empowers how we tackle the problem of food waste in South Africa and eventually scale sufficiently for our industry to be more effective.”