This revitalization effort not only ensures a sustainable income for the farmers but also enables the provision of fresh produce to neighboring vulnerable communities. Thanks to the swift adaptation and collaborative efforts of various organizations like FoodForward, ucook, and Oranjezicht Farm Market, surplus produce is collected, sorted, and distributed in grocery boxes, aiding both farmers and vulnerable communities in the Phillipi area. The distribution process, managed by NGOs like Beautiful Gate and Equal Education, involves young community volunteers working alongside field workers to ensure the efficient and targeted delivery of these food parcels to those in need.
The market, a significant investment at R34 million, offers a 5,000 m² space equipped with diverse facilities such as sales halls, retail spaces, processing facilities, a banana ripening center (a first of its kind in Africa), and more. It aims to not only facilitate cost-effective distribution but also act as a catalyst for the development of the Greater Philippi area by boosting the emerging farming sector. The market’s significant impact is anticipated to be felt across the Western Cape, requiring collaboration with both rural and urban farmers to supply the market with produce from over 5,000 hectares in and around the Cape Metropole.
Despite current output standing at one tonne of fresh produce, the aspiration is to increase this to eight tonnes, contingent upon securing necessary funding. The market’s innovative approach, community networks, and grassroots initiatives have breathed new life into the Phillipi Fresh Produce Market, offering a lifeline to vulnerable communities while supporting the growth of local farmers and the economy.
