"We launched the Food Security Programme in Diepsloot in 2014 and now support 18 vegetable gardens and two seedling nurseries — providing meals to over 1 145 children a day and indirectly benefiting 2 230 Diepsloot residents," says Ricardo Coetzee from Auto and General Insurance.
"Previously, produce was distributed through the 15 crèches in the programme but with schools being closed, we had to find a way to get more produce out to the community, as good nutrition and strong immune systems are one of the best defences against fighting COVID-19," adds Coetzee.
With additional support from Auto and General Insurance, the Food Security Programme has indicated that it has increased its seedling production in Diepsloot. It has also implemented a new distribution plan to ensure healthy food is available for its beneficiaries, as well as the wider community.
Precious Ngoepe, operations manager at the Auto and general Diepsloot Food Security Programme, says, "When the produce is available, residents are notified to collect their vegetables from outside the creches. We have put various measures in place to ensure that social distancing and strict hygiene protocols are also observed."
"In the spirit of the National Solidarity Fund and in addition to our donation to '#OperationCovid19', this is another way that we are saying Thuma Mina," concludes Coetzee.
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