With millions going hungry, alleviating food security means tackling structural imbalances
South Africa’s food security remains a national focal point. In a country as agriculturally rich as South Africa, it is deeply troubling that farming households themselves are not food secure by definition of not only availability, but also accessibility and affordability.
According to the recently released Food Security Report for 2019, 2022 and 2023 by Statistics South Africa, 3.7 million households face moderate to severe food insecurity, and 1.5 million experience severe hunger. This stark reality points to deeper, structural imbalances in our food system which need to be tackled head-on.
Agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo recently suggested that food insecurity in South Africa stems more from lack of access than from food shortages or high prices and that addressing income poverty at the household level must be the centre of any strategy to address food insecurity.
Food security does not exist in isolation but is linked to economic inclusion, education, and environmental sustainability. That’s why targeted initiatives in this space are crucial, not only to alleviate hunger but to build stronger and sustainable communities.
KAL Group’s commitment to food security is about building long-term community resilience and rests on three pillars: empowering small-scale farmers; collaborating with commercial farmers through our long-standing relationships; and leveraging our retail footprint to redirect food surplus to beneficiaries in need.
Our farmworker training programme offers practical short courses that equip farmworkers with essential skills and address critical skills gaps. Meanwhile, our farmer development programme provides fully funded training in animal or plant production, blending theoretical, practical, and managerial skills. Lastly, we support early childhood development centres by providing pre-packed meals, helping them work towards financial resilience
Empowering small-scale farmers
Small-scale farmers are key to unlocking rural development and poverty alleviation but often struggle to access key markets, resources, and training. By investing in their growth, we aim to contribute to more sustainable local food systems and stronger rural economies.
The KAL Academy has invested in the development of small-scale farmers since 2009, providing practical technical training and business development support to help farmers to grow not just crops but also businesses. To date, 515 farmers have been trained, with over R12.4 million invested since inception and R1.2 million in 2024 alone.
But numbers only tell part of the story. The true impact lies in the journeys of the individuals who come through our doors.
Wayne Mansfield, a citrus farmer and KAL Academy Mixed Farming Programme alumnus, has expanded his own farming business and boosted his production by securing a New Holland TT3.50 2WD Tractor through Kal Group’s Enterprise Development Programme. This investment enabled him to expand his citrus operation and increase output to meet growing demand, including supplying fresh produce for local community initiatives. As a result, he was able to create new jobs and contribute to local economic development in his area.
Another pillar of the Group’s food security programme is the Harvesting Hope initiative, which connects surplus produce with communities in need. Working with OneFarm Share, we distribute fresh surplus produce from both small-scale and commercial farmers via our Agrimark retail footprint to registered non-profit organisations. This model not only feeds people but reduces waste and supports the livelihoods of small-scale farmers.
Since 2023, the programme has distributed more than 770 tons of produce, created 3 million meals, and rescued over 660 tons of food from going to waste.
Our employees at KAL Group are central to this work. Through a partnership with Rise Against Hunger, our team members have packed over 40,000 meals for early childhood development centres, feeding 170 learners for an entire year.
Aligning food security with business strategy
At KAL Group, isn’t food security a corporate social responsibility checkbox but an operational imperative. By focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues that are most material to our business and stakeholders, we ensure that our efforts are grounded, aligned, and impactful.
The future of food security in South Africa depends on creating meaningful access to markets, supporting local producers, and opening up opportunities across the entire value chain. By strengthening these foundations, we can help build a food system that is more inclusive, more resilient, and better able to serve all communities.
Tasneem Sulaiman-Bray, Corporate Affairs Director, KAL Group
