SPAR and FoodForward SA Deliver Thousands of Meals to Fight SA's Worsening Hunger Crisis

Retail 27 October 2025

SPAR has reinforced its commitment to fighting food insecurity in South Africa by joining forces with FoodForward SA. Through a recent collaborative campaign, the retail giant helped distribute vital food parcels to numerous non-profit organisations (NPOs) serving vulnerable communities nationwide.

The partnership, which included the "Passing of the Sugar Challenge campaign," directly supports SPAR's long-standing dedication to addressing societal challenges through stakeholder collaboration.

FoodForward SA highlights the urgent scale of the problem: a staggering one-third of all food produced in South Africa is wasted, even as millions of people go hungry every day.

“Our goal is to create a real impact by driving meaningful change in communities through tangible and practical initiatives,” said Angelo Swartz, SPAR Group CEO. “This partnership is not just about distributing food parcels. It’s also about celebrating unity, diversity, and togetherness, the values that characterise SPAR as a family and community-oriented business. We believe that when we work together, we can build stronger and more resilient communities.”

A Direct Impact on the Most Vulnerable

Through the campaign, SPAR successfully distributed edible and nutritious food diverted from retail supply chains to NPOs. These organisations, in turn, provide essential meals and care to destitute families, children, and the elderly.

The initiative comes at a critical time. South Africa faces an unemployment rate of around 33.9%, and the resulting food insecurity, poverty, and inequality are deeply entrenched. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) data from 2023 painted a dire picture, estimating that 3.7 million households experienced moderate to severe food insecurity, with 1.5 million facing severe shortages. The crisis disproportionately affects female-headed households, highlighting the unequal burden of hunger.

Dr. Thuli Tabudi, SPAR’s Socio-Development and Transformation Executive, stressed the company’s commitment. “We are taking this responsibility of tackling poverty seriously. SPAR is a company that believes in uplifting the communities it serves and making a difference in the lives of fellow South Africans for whom life is an everyday struggle. Through collaboration, we can help alleviate hunger and restore dignity to those afflicted by poverty.”

The partnership is a powerful example of SPAR ensuring its sustainability journey is "inclusive and beneficial to all stakeholders," as Dr. Tabudi concluded.

Supplied by: SPAR.

Guzzle Media