Food Garden Competition Award for Southern Cape beneficiaries

In February 2015, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDOA), with assistance from Casidra, organised the Food Garden Competition in Karatara for the Southern Cape residents who are taking the lead in food security. The intention of this competition was to award those beneficiaries who carried the food garden initiative successfully after receiving support from the WCDoA. This follows after the WCDoA, along with other stakeholders, handed over food gardens to residents in the area in 2013.

The residents with gardens in Karatara, Rheenendal and Fairview were invited to enter the competition. The competition had two categories, namely household gardens and community gardens. There was great participation in this competition, which involved 14 household gardens in Karatara, 16 in Fairview and 26 in Rheenendal.

Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, attended the ceremony and did the honour of awarding those who made it to the top as finalists. When addressing the competitors, Minister Winde said that the food gardening project was a prime example of the Western Cape Government and residents working together to ensure that households meet food security needs.

“The aim of this competition is to encourage residents to continue growing their vegetables, thereby promoting food security in the Western Cape,” said Minister Winde.

This competition was a huge success and inspired all the participants, particularly those who did not make it to the final. This has encouraged them to put more effort into looking after their gardens and vying for the top award in next year’s competition.