SA Harvest marks fourth anniversary on World Food Day, celebrating the delivery of 48.3 million meals and rescuing 14.5 million kilograms of food

Celebrating its fourth anniversary on World Food Day, leading food rescue and hunger relief organisation SA Harvest reflects on its remarkable achievements over the past four years. This milestone coincides with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) theme of ‘Water is Food, Water is Life,’ a message that resonates deeply with SA Harvest’s mission.

Says Dr. QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), “All of us need to stop taking water for granted. Making informed decisions about the products we buy, wasting less water and preventing flooding disaster and pollution are easy ways for everybody to contribute to positive action for a future of prosperity for people and the planet. They are central to achieving what we at FAO refer to as the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life – to ensure no one is left behind,”

In South Africa, where over 60% of available freshwater resources are used in agriculture, primarily in irrigated agriculture, SA Harvest recognises the urgent need to promote sustainable irrigation technologies that optimise food production without increasing water usage while fostering positive environmental outcomes. In 2017, the WWF reported that one-fifth of SA’s water is used for food that is wasted. About 1.7 km3 of water is extracted from ground and surface water bodies to produce food that is subsequently wasted in South Africa. This is around a fifth of South Africa’s total water withdrawals.

Over the course of four years, SA Harvest has delivered an incredible 48.3 million meals to those in need. This monumental achievement is a testament to our commitment to address the systemic causes of hunger through systemic intervention,” says Alan Browde, CEO, and founder of SA Harvest.

This significant accomplishment is only one part of the organisation’s mission. SA Harvest has also rescued an astounding 14.5 million kilograms of perfectly good, nutritious food that would otherwise have gone to waste, contributing to reducing food waste and promoting sustainability.

As SA Harvest marks its fourth anniversary, the organisation invites everyone to join in the celebration. To emphasise the crucial role of water in our food system, SA Harvest has launched a poster contest open to children aged 5 to 19, carrying the message: “Water is Food, Water is Life.” This contest not only celebrates creativity but also raises awareness about the importance of water conservation in food production.

How to Enter:
Children aged 5 to 19 can submit their poster entries on the SA Harvest website at www.saharvest.org. All entries received will also be uploaded to the United Nations (UN) website, giving children an opportunity to participate in both the local and global UN competitions. The UN’s educational booklet, available on the SA Harvest website, serves as an inspiration for all participants.

Timing:
Entries for the South African competition open on World Food Day, 16 October, which also marks SA Harvest’s birthday, and close at midnight on 31 October. SA Harvest will then upload all entries to the FAO website in time for their closing date on 3 November.

Prizes:
To make the celebration even more exciting, SA Harvest is offering a grand prize – a weekend getaway to Durban for four lucky people, including four air tickets on Lift Airlines, two nights of bed and breakfast accommodation, and unforgettable experiences for the entire family. Smaller prizes, such as delectable hampers of chocolates, coffee vouchers, and other goodies, are also up for grabs in each age category.

Make a Difference:
SA Harvest’s poster contest is not just about winning prizes; it’s about spreading awareness of the vital role water plays in our food system. SA Harvest encourages children and their parents to enter the contest and make a difference. Together, let’s inspire the next generation to protect our water and ensure a sustainable future for all.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to showcase your creativity, learn about the importance of water, and stand a chance to win an unforgettable weekend in Durban. Visit the SA Harvest website at www.saharvest.org and follow SA Harvest on Facebook and Instagram @saharvest for all the details.

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