After an extensive boot camp and an intense day of pitching to senior Food Lover’s Market executives, Zandile Kumalo, CEO of Neighbour Roots, has been announced as the newest social enterprise supplier to Food Lover’s Market.
The Food Lover’s Market Seeds of Change Supplier Development Partnership was created as an opportunity for social enterprises to join the fresh produce retailer’s network as a supplier.
Food Lover’s Market wrapped up this year’s Seeds of Change initiative on a high note. This year was momentous because all 11 finalists have also been listed as suppliers for Food Lover’s Market.
“Every pitch and product presented on the final day was world-class, it speaks to the incredible innovation we have coming out of South Africa,” Food Lover’s Market said.
Kumalo, crowned as the overall winner, joined nine other finalists in Cape Town recently for workshops and a final pitch day in which she had to pitch her business to a panel of the retailer’s executives. Winning the competition means Kumalo’s business will be listed as an official supplier of Food Lover’s Market.
Zandi’s rooftop farm on top of the world
The CEO of Neighbour Roots (Pty) Ltd is dedicated to learning. Inspired by the agritech sector, Kumalo started her research by creating an edge to supply clean fresh produce all year through hydroponic farming.
She founded her first hydroponics business based in Sebokeng, and formed a partnership with Flanagan and Gerard by creating and installing a 300m² hydroponic farm on the rooftop of Morningside Shopping Centre.
“Being the winner of the Seeds of Change Supplier Partnership is an incredibly exhilarating and fulfilling experience. It’s a validation of all the hard work, dedication, and innovation that went into developing a sustainable and impactful business.
“The feeling of accomplishment and pride is overwhelming, knowing that our efforts have been recognised and rewarded by such a reputable organisation,” Kumalo told Food For Mzansi.
The world is her oyster
The Seeds of Change Supplier Partnership provides a platform for showcasing their products and opens up a world of opportunities for growth, collaboration, and further success.
Neighbour Roots has been able to grow in strides and provide many benefits that include:
- Produce that is free from chemicals.
- Harvesting lead times reduced by up to 40%.
- Soil-less farming – produce is always clean, uses less energy.
- Water efficient by using 90% less water than conventional farming.
- Can grow in small spaces.
- Reliable and consistent produce.
- Locally produced fresh, high quality and flavourful options that retain their freshness for more extended periods.
According to Kumalo, winning inspires her to continue pushing the boundaries of sustainable practices and to make an even greater impact on our communities and the planet.
“It’s a moment of celebration and gratitude, as we realise that our commitment to making a positive difference in the world has been acknowledged and supported,” she said.
Neighbour Roots has emerged as the inaugural fresh produce champion of the Food Lover’s Market Seeds of Change supplier development partnership. Breaking stereotypes and celebrating diversity, all three top contenders were women, with two of them making their mark in the farming industry.
The exceptional quality of their business pitches impressed the judges, resulting in preferential trading agreements with Food Lover’s Market for all the finalists. This initiative highlights the supermarket chain’s commitment to supporting and nurturing innovative and exceptional businesses in the food industry.
Other winners
The competition saw other winners as well. They include Chantelle de Bruyn of Buttercup Farmhouse and Ndivhuweni Seaba of TC Women in Action Farming (Pty) Ltd.
De Bruyn has introduced the world’s first coffee made from butternuts. Located in Bloemfontein in the Free State, Buttercup Farmhouse is a small-scale farm that primarily focuses on cultivating butternuts.
Her innovative coffee, made from vegetables, has undergone testing by the South African Bureau of Standards to demonstrate its suitability for individuals with various medical conditions.
Notably, this unique coffee contains zero caffeine, which De Bruyn considers a game changer. She was inspired by her grandfather, who loved coffee but had to change his diet in his later years.
Buttercup Farmhouse has collaborated with the food science and innovation faculty of the University of the Free State to conduct research, further solidifying its position as a pioneer in the industry.
Additionally, Buttercup is actively involved in women’s development initiatives within the community, partnering with local female farmers.
Meanwhile, TC Women in Action is a company that believes in the empowerment of youth development.
The company was founded in 2014 and uses hydroponic farming methods to supply fresh produce. The main crops that are produced are tomatoes, red, green, and yellow peppers. They also produce cucumber, spring onion, and lettuce and the farm is also Global Gap certified.
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