• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Lifestyle
WATCH: Top international speakers confirmed for Fresh Connections

Fresh Connections: ‘Relish power of fresh produce to fight disease’

19th Aug 2020
Langeberg & Ashton Foods buildings and yards line a significant stretch of Ashton’s main road. Jacobus de Koker isn’t permanently employed but says he has been working at the factory for years. Photo: Elana van der Watt/Food For Mzansi

‘Our town will be a dead town’

25th Jun 2022
Potatoes SA recently led a roundtable discussion on the state of South Africa's fresh produce markets, which need urgent attention. Photo: Supplied/RSA Group

Fresh produce markets ‘at tipping point’

25th Jun 2022
A recent Gather to Grow session hosted by Food For Mzansi featured; plant pathologist, Diana Mngomezulu, animal scientist Thabiso Maenetje, Free State cattle farmer Annalea Van Niekerk, Agri SA chief agricultural economist Kulani Siweya, Plant scientist Henry Basson, agri- horticulturalist Vuyokazi Mtshazi, and farmer Thabo Skhosana. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Farmer 101: ‘We need farmers that are forward-thinking’

24th Jun 2022
Thailand farmers are now feeding cannabis to their chickens. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Holy smokes! Cannabis in chicken feed?

24th Jun 2022
David Mthombeni is building an agriculture empire for his family.Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Farmer gets his hands dirty while building family empire

24th Jun 2022
The State Capture commission made a range of recommendations to prevent corrupt projects like the Estina Vrede Dairy Farm project in future. Image: Food For Mzansi

Vrede Dairy Farm: Heads must roll, say farmers

24th Jun 2022
Archive photo. A R180-million investment by a major poultry producer in North West signals progress by the province to lure investors, says its premier. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

R180m. investment ‘shows progress in North West’

24th Jun 2022
First batch of smallholder farmers who have successfully completed hands-on training on potato production with their mentor Dr Lerato Matsaunyane. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

North West welcomes newly trained potato farmers

23rd Jun 2022
World Bank has launched an insurance for Kenyan farmers that starts coverage at KES 50 per month. Photo: Supplied/World Bank

Affordable weather insurance for Kenyan farmers

23rd Jun 2022
FMD: Farmers who notice symptoms of foot and mouth disease in their livestock should report it to local veterinarians as soon as possible. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

FMD outbreaks in Free State, Gauteng contained

23rd Jun 2022
Justice Raymond Zondo released the final chapters of his report into state capture last night (Wednesday, 22 June 2022). Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

ICYMI: Zondo releases report on Vrede Dairy Project

23rd Jun 2022
Vuyokazi Makapela, a director at Afrivet, Zamo Shongwe, Buhle Farmer’s Academy’s, finance and business director, Free State farmer Buchule Jack, Liviwe Finca, the founder of Amafemvula, and Justin Dziruni of Zazo Boergoats. Photo:Supplied/Foodf For Mzansi

Podcast: Here’s how to control and prevent rabies

22nd Jun 2022
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
11 GLOBAL MEDIA AWARDS
Sat, Jun 25, 2022
Food For Mzansi
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
    • All
    • AgriCareers
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Farmers
    • Groundbreakers
    • Innovators
    • Inspiration
    • It Takes a Village
    • Mentors
    • Movers and Shakers
    • Partnerships
    David Mthombeni is building an agriculture empire for his family.Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Farmer gets his hands dirty while building family empire

    Gauteng farmers give youth a leg-up in agriculture

    Women in farming give youth a leg up in agriculture

    Watch out, these young farmers are on fire!

    Watch out, these young farmers are on fire!

    Unati Speirs has vast experience in agri-business strategy and business funding and was recently appointed as a new board director for Hortgro. Photos: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Youngest Hortgro hotshot takes transformation to heart

    Prof Kennedy Mnisi a dedicated young man who wants to help livestock farmers with animal health education to prevent diseases. Picture. Supplied/ Food For Mzansi.

    Animal scientist works hard to earn top dog status

    Eastern Cape grain farmer Sinelizwi Fakade told Cyril Ramaphosa that limited access to funding continued to constrain young farmers. The president vowed to return to the province to fully engage with issues raised. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Ramaphosa vows to address challenges faced by young farmers

    Meet SA’s young stars taking agritech to the next level

    Meet SA’s young stars taking agritech to the next level

    Lochner Eksteen, Bayanda Maseko and Ian Cunningham: three young people making their living from farming in Mzansi. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Young and farming in Mzansi: The joys and hard truths

    Annita Mutoni is a young poultry farmer in Rwanda, and is finding her stride within the industry. Photo: Supplied/FoodForAfrika.com

    Rwandan poultry farmer follows in father’s footsteps

  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
No Result
View All Result
Food For Mzansi

Fresh Connections: ‘Relish power of fresh produce to fight disease’

by Noluthando Ngcakani
19th Aug 2020
in News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
WATCH: Top international speakers confirmed for Fresh Connections

Pictured from the left are scientist and author Dr William Li, PMA chief executive Cathy Burns and Peter van Kets, an extreme adventurer and author. Photos: Supplied

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Day two of this year’s Fresh Connections: Southern Africa conference kicked off moments ago. Cathy Burns, chief executive of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), is now presenting on the global state of the fresh produce market amid the covid-19 pandemic while also sharing top trends in technology, e-commerce, sustainability and consumer trends, among others.

Last night, at the official opening of the virtual conference, two international speakers took the centre stage. First-up was world-renowned physician and author Dr William Li who urged attendees to fuel their menus and bodies with “the power of produce”.

“Food as medicine is not just an idea whose time has come. It is an idea that is essential to our health. Whether you are trying to stay well or take back your health, fighting a chronic disease,” Li said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Activating our immune defences is our chance to lock out covid-19 and prevent it from entering our bodies.” – Dr William Li

Li listed ten fresh produce items that are key to sustaining health. “Guavas and peppers are packed with vitamin C which helps build immune cells and improves natural antibody production. This, together with turmeric, is an excellent way to reduce inflammation in the body. Mushrooms contain vitamin D and Beta-D glucan, which creates antibodies in your saliva, so it stops the virus as it enters the mouth.”

Furthermore, Trevor Dukes, chief executive of Fruit Farm Group and chairman of the PMA in Southern Africa, highlighted the importance for the industry to connect locally and globally to share insights on how the industry can survive and thrive. “Some sectors of the industry, such as fresh produce in retail, are experiencing highs whilst other sectors, such as foodservice, have encountered unprecedented lows. Now is the time to be resilient, build partnerships and seek opportunities.”

The covid-19 pandemic has, however, also presented many opportunities for the fresh produce industry. Lauren Scott, PMA’s chief strategy and membership officer, noted that while most understand the importance of eating fresh produce, there was often a disconnect in consumers between what they know and what they do. “But now, having a strong immune system has become essential to everyday life, well-being and long-term prosperity.”

WATCH: Top international speakers confirmed for fresh connections

Meanwhile, more top presentations are expected both today and tomorrow. Also on the line-up is Peter van Kets, a professional extreme adventurer. His talk “Grit and Resolve: keys to achieve and sustain true success”, is a must-hear. He promises to invoke a reawakening in the innovation of the supply value chain. Through perseverance, grit and passion, there is success, he believes.

Late registrations are still accepted. For the first time in a decade, you can still register free of charge for a seat at the table for one of the most insightful and interactive webinars with the experts in the entire produce value chain.

ADVERTISEMENT
Tags: Cathy BurnscoronavirusCovid-19Dr William LiFresh Connection Southern AfricaJolin JuddNew York TimesPeter van KetsPMAProduce Marketing Association
Share196Tweet123Send
Noluthando Ngcakani

Noluthando Ngcakani

With roots in the Northern Cape, this Kimberley Diamond has had a passion for telling human interest stories since she could speak her first words. A foodie by heart, she began her journalistic career as an intern at the SABC where she discovered her love for telling agricultural, community and nature related stories. Not a stranger to a challenge Ngcakani will go above and beyond to tell your truth.

Related Posts

South Africans are once again enjoying their beer after a tough 16 months. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

SA beer industry regains its fizz post Covid-19

by Tiisetso Manoko
26th May 2022
0

South Africans are once again enjoying their beer after a tough 16 months which included four alcohol bans due to...

Street traders and small scale farmers are always neglected in times of crisis and the leaders in the agriculture sector have urged government to prioritize them in future to protect our food systems. Photo: Nomfundo Xolo / GroundUp

Suspended permit payments bring relief to CT vendors

by GroundUp
26th May 2022
0

With the Covid-19 pandemic having pinched any extra penny from the pockets of those who need it most, a decision...

A recent study compiled by research revealed that a large number of farmers had received no official aid after suffering severe disruptions brought on by the global Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Pixabay/Supplied

Farmers disrupted by pandemic still struggling

by The Conversation
9th May 2022
0

Stringent Covid-19 restrictions have seen the world's poorest, including smallholder farmers, bear the brunt without enough support of local governments.

National risk management should receive urgent attention, according to experts who spoke during a recent webinar on the impact of recent disasters on South Africa. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Tough times in agriculture ‘could have been cushioned’

by Tiisetso Manoko
9th May 2022
0

SA's farming sector has faced some tough times lately, but some of the hardship could have been warded off had...

Thailand farmers are now feeding cannabis to their chickens. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi
Weird & Wonderful

Holy smokes! Cannabis in chicken feed?

by Zolani Sinxo
24th Jun 2022
0

WEIRD & WONDERFUL: A Thai farmer has ruffled plenty of feathers by claiming that cannabis acts as an immunity booster...

Read more
David Mthombeni is building an agriculture empire for his family.Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Farmer gets his hands dirty while building family empire

24th Jun 2022
The State Capture commission made a range of recommendations to prevent corrupt projects like the Estina Vrede Dairy Farm project in future. Image: Food For Mzansi

Vrede Dairy Farm: Heads must roll, say farmers

24th Jun 2022
Archive photo. A R180-million investment by a major poultry producer in North West signals progress by the province to lure investors, says its premier. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

R180m. investment ‘shows progress in North West’

24th Jun 2022
First batch of smallholder farmers who have successfully completed hands-on training on potato production with their mentor Dr Lerato Matsaunyane. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

North West welcomes newly trained potato farmers

23rd Jun 2022

Five top tips for farming with peppers

Farmer 101: ‘We need farmers that are forward-thinking’

Youngest Hortgro hotshot takes transformation to heart

Agbiz congress: Hopes are high for industry solutions

North West welcomes newly trained potato farmers

Why human-honeyguide cooperation must be preserved

THE NEW FACE OF SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

With 11 global awards in the first three years of its existence, Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication. It is a movement, unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture. We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society.

‘Our town will be a dead town’

Fresh produce markets ‘at tipping point’

Farmer 101: ‘We need farmers that are forward-thinking’

Holy smokes! Cannabis in chicken feed?

Farmer gets his hands dirty while building family empire

Vrede Dairy Farm: Heads must roll, say farmers

  • Our Story
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824
WhatsApp line: +27 81 889 9032
Marketing: +27 71 147 0388
News: info@foodformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought

Copyright © 2021 Food for Mzansi

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Go to mobile version