Tshwane’s most vulnerable residents are counting on the city’s Food Bank for essential food parcels but the facility’s ability to deliver has been stretched to the limit due to staff shortages.

This was a pressing concern raised by the members of the Section 79 Community and Social Development Oversight Committee during their recent visit to the facility.

Located at Tshwane Fresh Produce Market in Pretoria West, the facility serves as a storage facility and distribution hub for food parcels, operating under the city’s Department of Community and Social Development.

It provides social relief to vulnerable families and supports non-government organisations (NGOs) that care for homeless individuals.

Committee Chairperson Rebecca Monchusi expressed concerns over logistical hurdles hindering the Food Bank’s ability to meet growing operational demands. 

She said that among concerns were the staff shortages that affect efficiency, and the need for a more integrated approach to leverage stakeholder engagement among government departments, local businesses, and the NGO sector. 

“Addressing these challenges will be crucial to strengthening the city’s overall response to hunger and poverty.” 

She said that according to a 2021 survey in Tshwane, 45% of households experience food distress, with 32.1% suffering from severe food insecurity. 

According to her, an integrated and efficient food distribution system could significantly improve these statistics, ensuring a better-fed and more sustainable municipality.

“Food security is not just a matter of charity; it is a matter of justice and sustainability. Thus, there must be added efforts to ensure that every partnership and every process in our food system works towards feeding our communities and curbing hunger,” said Monchusi.

A recent inspection by the Oversight Committee on Integrated Development Plan at the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market revealed that 1% to 2% of market produce is classified as spoilage, written off, and deemed unfit for human or animal consumption.

Monchusi said: “This finding raises important questions about stakeholder coordination within the food supply chain and the city’s mitigation strategies to prevent food waste.”

She emphasised that food waste poses a substantial social and environmental threat, exacerbating poverty, hunger, and carbon emissions, while also undermining broader sustainability efforts.

Despite these challenges, the Food Bank’s accounting officers and staff presented a comprehensive overview of their daily operations and logistics, impressing the oversight team with the scope of their work. 

The team highlighted the city’s provision of a well-rounded food package valued at over R4,000, catering to both nutritional and hygienic needs of beneficiaries. 

Monchusi: “This demonstrates a commendable commitment to delivering comprehensive social relief that upholds the dignity and health of the city’s most vulnerable residents.”

The concern over efficient food distribution follows last week’s protest by activists from the Union Against Hunger at Shoprite Distribution Park in Centurion, held on World Food Day. 

The activists urged for reduced prices of essential food items, emphasising that millions of people suffer from hunger and thousands of children die each year due to malnutrition. 

They also pointed out the paradox of South Africa producing sufficient food, yet many citizens are unable to afford it, leaving them hungry. 

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

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