The newly launched home tree project in Avian Park is aimed at greening the community as well as growing food.

"This initiative will not only help us breathe some life into our environment but will also allow us to be able to feed our families with fruit, which is a much-needed addition to our nutrition," says Gerhard Carolus, chairperson of the Avian Park Community Garden Club.

The Avian Park Community Garden Club coordinates 46 home-based food gardens, which supports four soup kitchens, five crèches, a school and more than 500 elderly people who cannot afford to buy food for themselves.

"Our relationship with Shoprite dates back to 2018 when they invested in our community food garden as well as homestead gardens," adds Carolus. "I do not know what we would do without Shoprite. With their support, we are feeding hundreds of people who have no means to feed themselves."

“We are piloting the home tree project in Avian Park because of how successful they have been in fighting hunger under difficult conditions," concludes Lunga Schoeman, CSI manager for the Shoprite Group. "This new initiative is aimed at ensuring that the community becomes even more sustainable."

For more information, visit www.shoprite.co.za. You can also follow the Shoprite Group on Facebook or on Twitter.