Following the news that the country would be on an extended period of lockdown, we wanted to highlight incredible local initiatives that are creating ways to help our industry.

In this uncertain time, South Africa’s farms continue to grow produce and food even though, as we know, most restaurants they supply have closed their doors – and their kitchens – indefinitely.

This is where Food Flow comes in. The initiative, which kicked off in the Western Cape in March amidst earlier stages of the COVID-19 crisis, has been making a positive food flow shift in the industry by providing produce to those who need it most during these unprecedented times and, in turn, continue to keep the small-scale farms in business.

After starting in the Western Cape, the Food Flow team has been hard at work with farmers and experts across the country. They’ve announced that, through a partnership with Sustaining the Wild Coast, they will be supporting the Amadiba farmers – a group of four villages and farmers at the very north end of the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape to continue their work throughout lockdown.

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The best advice I’ve heard about how to cope with overwhelming situations that are out of your control is to remind yourself just to “do the next right thing”. That will look different for all of us; perhaps it’s calling and checking on a loved one, or giving yourself a day off from the news. But for some it may be to sponsor a harvest bag to ensure a farmer can sustain their business, and a family has an Easter basket this week that will feed their family. @foodflowza is one simple way to help an entire chain of people who are also trying to do the next right thing in their own lives, and you can make it just a bit easier. Wishing you all a beautiful weekend full of gratitude and togetherness even if apart. 🙏🏽💜🥬

A post shared by Food Flow (@foodflowza) on Apr 12, 2020 at 12:30am PDT

How does it all work? Headed up by farmer Iming Lin (formerly a public health professional) and social and economic development consultant Ashley Newell, Food Flow offers the opportunity for anyone to donate by means of purchasing a bag of produce. This will provide fresh, nutritious food to a family in communities facing food insecurity, all while supporting local small-scale farms. A food bag costs R128.

You can read up on Food Flow’s FAQs here, or head to foodflowza.com to purchase a bag now.