Shoprite Opens R1 Million Competition for South Africa’s Community Food Gardens

Shoprite Opens R1 Million Competition for South Africa’s Community Food Gardens. Shoprite has opened entries for the second Act For Change Food Garden Competition, offering community food gardens across South Africa an opportunity to share R1 million in tailored support.

Entries opened on 20 October 2026, with five winning gardens set to share the support. Each winner will receive assistance based on an assessment of its specific needs, which could include training, garden resources and infrastructure to support increased food production.

The competition assesses more than the amount of food produced by a garden. Judges will also consider each garden’s social impact, skills development, operating practices, contribution to food security and the difference it makes in its community.

Sanjeev Raghubir, Chief Sustainability Officer at the Shoprite Group, said community food gardens support the retailer’s purpose by creating access to fresh food, economic opportunities and opportunities for people to learn.

Eligible entrants must be at least 18 years old and represent a community-based food garden. Private home gardens, private companies and close corporations are excluded. Applications require a short description of the garden’s history, purpose and community role, together with photographs.

Entries close on 15 November 2026, with the winners expected to be announced before April 2027. Entry is free and no data costs apply when entering online.

The inaugural competition received nearly 600 entries, with last year’s winners using their support for projects including infrastructure improvements, irrigation systems, expanded growing areas and soil health initiatives.

ACFS Khunadi Food Garden in Mogoto Village, Limpopo, used its first-place support to install a shade-net structure. Ngxanga School Garden in Libode, Eastern Cape, used its award to introduce irrigation, expand its growing area and increase food production.

Other previous winners have invested in additional garden spaces, soil health, composting, pest control and training.

The competition forms part of Shoprite’s broader community food garden programme, which reached 300 supported gardens in July 2026. The retailer said the 2026 competition aims to attract more community gardens seeking support to develop their work further.