SPAR - Western Cape

PROJECTS IN THE WESTERN CAPE  - "Caring & Connectedness"

Our CSI Focus

• Hunger relief
• Food security
• and, the promotion of healthy childhood nutrition

Our CSI Area

• Children – within the education system; primarily, Primary schools
• Community – local to Primary schools with existing connections in the school community  

Our CSI Partnership

Our 2012 Flagship Project         

Organic Food Garden at Erica Primary, Belhar

What this project will do

• Create a 400 sqm organic food garden at Erica Primary to supplement the school’s nutrition programme with fresh healthy vegetables and fruit for the children’s school lunches.
• Surplus produce will be shared with ECD centres and other schools in the community.
• Train and support the school’s caretaker in organic farming techniques.
• We hope that the food garden will serve as a beacon of hope and a model of self-reliance, development and healthy, sustainable living in the community.  

Why we chose Erica Primary

Applicants were screened to ensure that they meet our eligibility criteria:

Eligibility
The Spar Nutrition Programme is only open to government or privately-managed Primary schools who fully meet the WCED’s schools registration requirements for all primary schools.

Need
There is a clear, identified, quantifiable need for healthy food provision at the school. Learners are at risk, or affected by malnutrition.

Geographic Area
The school is situated in, or serves learners from historically-disadvantaged, currently under-resourced areas.

School Governance

• The school leadership is strong and committed to school and community development.
• The school has a proven capacity to meet the good governance requirements of the WCED.
• The School Governing Body is in place and actively involved.
• The school management has a proven track of sound financial oversight.
•  It is evident that the school environment is well-managed despite being under-resourced.  

Capacity
The school has a proven capacity to engage successfully with funders and participate in development projects - and there is a strong will and enthusiasm to be part of this programme. 

They are able to understand the programme’s requirements of them and they are able to engage effectively with the programme service providers. 

How we will do this

We will draw on community food gardening best practices, and adhere to organic farming principles, such as:

-building soil fertility through compost, mulch, earthworm castings and natural manures without the use of artificial fertilisers.
-practicing natural pest management without the use of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides.
-harvesting rainwater and using borehole water for sustainable irrigation.
-providing long-term training and support so that food gardening skills become entrenched in the community.

What we will provide

-400 sqm infrastructure including beds, edging, paths, assorted seedlings and mulch
-Fencing
-Organic soil conditioners
-Garden nutrient recycling centre including compost unit and liquid fertilizer barrel
-Rainwater tank, water pump and irrigation system
-Tool shed and tool set
-Indigenous trees and shrubs as windbreaks
-12 months of training and support by Urban Harvest
-12 months of Caretaker’s salary

Our Progress     

The garden has been developed and fenced.

• The water harvesting and irrigation system has been installed.
• The nutrient recycling centre is established.
• We’ve planted 2500 seedlings so far - 200 spinach, 400bush beans, 200 cabbage, 100 kale, 1000 carrots, 200 beets, 100 celery, 200 broccoli, 20 rosemary, 50 cape gooseberries , 20 chillies and more.

The benefits   

• Improve food security and childhood nutrition with a sustainable supply of fresh, healthy organic vegetables, herbs and fruits.
• Enhance the school’s facilities by provide a living, learning, outdoor classroom.
• Transfer organic food gardening skills to the community enabling them to help themselves and promote self-reliance.