For the past eight years, Woolworths has been one of FoodForward SA’s most valued and longstanding partners, demonstrating how sustained collaboration can help address food insecurity in South Africa.

At a time when millions of South Africans struggle to access enough nutritious food, partnerships that connect quality surplus food with people who need it most have never been more important. By working together, FoodForward SA and Woolworths are ensuring that good food is put to its highest and best use, supporting vulnerable communities while reducing food loss and waste.

Through the donation of quality surplus food and ongoing financial support, Woolworths has helped FoodForward SA strengthen and expand its national foodbanking network. Using FoodForward SA’s innovative FoodShare platform, quality surplus food is collected from Woolworths stores and redistributed efficiently through a nationwide network of vetted Beneficiary Organisations, ensuring it reaches vulnerable communities safely, efficiently and with dignity.

The partnership extends beyond food donations. Woolworths’ support has enabled continued investment in warehousing, logistics, digital innovation and youth skills development, strengthening FoodForward SA’s ability to recover and redistribute food at scale while building a more resilient and sustainable foodbanking network.

Together, the partnership delivers both social and environmental impact by redirecting millions of kilograms of quality surplus food from landfill, improving access to nutritious food, and avoiding greenhouse gas emissions. It is a powerful example of how collective action can address multiple challenges while creating lasting value for people, communities and the environment.

FoodForward SA extends its sincere thanks to Woolworths for eight years of shared purpose, trust and commitment. Their continued support demonstrates what is possible when business and civil society work together to build a more food secure and sustainable South Africa.