Mouton’s Valley Farm Partners with OneFarm Share to Address Food Insecurity

Mouton’s Valley Farm, a family-owned enterprise, is known for its diverse range of produce including apples, pears, nectarines, mandarins, lemons, and their distinctive buchu oil. Recently, the farm faced a dilemma with nearly 90 tonnes of Panorama Golden Delicious apples and no viable market for them. Seeking a solution, Mouton’s Valley Farm reached out to OneFarm Share, an initiative dedicated to combating food insecurity in South Africa sustainably.

“We learned about this impactful initiative through our strong relationship with Standard Bank, which has consistently supported our community-oriented efforts,” says Michele Starke, Director of Mouton’s Valley Farm.

Surplus produce is a common occurrence in farming, exacerbated by the effects of climate change on weather patterns and growing seasons. OneFarm Share offers an efficient and user-friendly solution to this widespread issue among commercial farmers. Instead of letting surplus produce go to waste, farmers can donate or discount it to OneFarm Share, which then distributes the produce to beneficiaries in the food relief sector.

“The issue of surplus produce and resulting waste is an ongoing challenge for commercial farmers and food producers. It represents a sunk cost, making farmers hesitant to incur additional expenses to address it. OneFarm Share has become a valuable component of Standard Bank’s Agribusiness offerings, enabling us to support farmers in reducing waste and operating more sustainably without increasing their costs. The programme can respond swiftly in critical situations, delivering benefits from farm to fork,” explains Brendan Jacobs, Head of AgriBusiness BCBSA.

With nearly 2 million tonnes of fresh produce wasted annually due to stringent market requirements and supply chain disruptions, and over 12 million South Africans facing severe hunger, an effective intervention is crucial. This is where OneFarm Share steps in.

Mouton’s Valley Farm generously donated their 90 tonnes of Panorama Golden Delicious apples to the OneFarm Share programme. These apples were distributed by partners SA Harvest and FoodForward SA to registered charities and directed to Gift of The Givers for disaster relief efforts in the Western Cape. Through this donation, OneFarm Share was able to provide nutritious, fresh, locally grown food to many hungry South Africans.

In return for their donation, Mouton’s Valley Farm received a Section 18A certificate for the full value of their contribution, mitigating what would have been a significant financial loss for the farm.

“Mouton’s Valley Farm is thrilled to support the OneFarm Share initiative with our donation of 200 Panorama Golden Delicious fruit bins. This contribution underscores our commitment to supporting local communities and promoting zero-waste agricultural practices,” says Starke. “By partnering with OneFarm Share, we strive to enhance food accessibility, ensuring that fresh produce reaches those in need.”

OneFarm Share is on track to achieve the milestone of providing 100 million meals to hungry South Africans. With your support, we can make an even greater impact this year and beyond.

Picture Cred: Standard Bank