Shoprite: How Government can reduce food insecurity

Low price supermarket group Shoprite, has offered government tips on how to reduce food insecurity in the country.

SHOPRITE ON HUNGER AND POVERTY

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The retailer marked Marked World Food day on Monday with the launch of their Food Index, which revealed that almost half of the countries population will face food insecurity in 2025.

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“The aim is to start a national conversation increasing awareness of hunger and its attendant issues. Support collaborative efforts to address food insecurity.”

Shoprite already does its part in fighting hunger by subsidising one million R5 bread loaves per week including selling R5 meals.

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The retail group says the government can make two immediate tangible steps to reduce food insecurity:

1. Exempt food retailers from the Road Accident Fund levy on diesel used for generators,
2. Consider zero VAT on certain key commodities to further prioritise relief for citizens.

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WHAT IS FOOD INSECURITY?

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation(FAO) describes food insecurity as the lack of consistent access to food. People and households who have gone a day without food once or a few times a year have food insecurity.

Out of the country nine provinces, Limpopo citizens face the greatest risk, with an estimated 54% of its population at risk of food insecurity within the next two years.

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They are closely followed by KwaZulu-Natal and the North West at 53% and the Northern Cape at 52%.

The Western Cape has the lowest number of residents that will be victims of food insecurity at just 41%.