Pure Folk Fermented Foods has emerged as the top social enterprise in our 2024 Seeds of Change Supplier Development Partnership. Their success follows a compelling five-minute elevator pitch to our retail panel. Pure Folk, a business dedicated to enhancing gut health through fermented foods, was named our top social enterprise supplier. This announcement followed a rigorous boot camp and a day of pitches at Workshop 17, where Mpho Sithole of Pure Folk Fermented Foods captivated our senior executives with her confident and passionate pitch.
Pure Folk offers a variety of natural products, including sauerkrauts, kimchis, kombuchas, kombucha vinegar, ginger-infused beet kvass, water kefirs, and fire tonics.
Surprise top ten entries in the 2024 Food Lover’s Market Seeds of Change Supplier Development Partnership include Gentishe – reusable period cups & bio-pads, Cap ‘n Hook Fish Processing, Bonolo Scents – eco-friendly laundry detergents and Lilah’s Kitchen – quick and easy to prepare plant-based sizzles, sliders and bites.
“The outstanding calibre of entries led us to make a significant decision: we will be listing all of the top ten businesses as suppliers at Food Lover’s Market.”
Recognising All Participants
In a surprising twist, our CEO, Travis Coppin, confirmed that all applicants in the top ten will be listed as suppliers, thanks to the exceptional quality of their products, businesses and presentations. Terri Coppin-Harris, our Culture and Communication Manager, shared, “We believe the top three winners will all contribute to affirming Food Lover’s Market as the best fresh destination in South Africa. Their incredible business journeys mirror our entrepreneurial spirit.”
Our Commitment
At Food Lover’s Market, our purpose is to ‘nourish and enrich lives.’ We are committed to finding social and environmental entrepreneurs with products that delight our customers. We feel all ten of our applicants share these values, creating impact through their businesses.
Hear from Our Winner, Pure Folk Foods
Mpho Sithole expressed, “Winning the Seeds of Change Supplier Development Partnership is life-changing for me and my business. It’s an opportunity to grow and learn, and I’m delighted to be part of the Food Lover’s Market network. I encourage other social entrepreneurs to apply next year. Whether you are listed as a supplier or not, the knowledge, hands-on experience, and exposure to the business process are invaluable in understanding what it takes to grow your business and work with a major retailer such as Food Lover’s Market.”
The Boot Camp Experience
Our four-day boot camp began with insights from our CEO, Brian Coppin, on the challenges of growing a business. The week included face-to-face workshops with our buyers and guidance from specialists across Food Lover’s Market. The final day saw the top ten businesses pitching to our panel, consisting of:
- Michael Coppin, Co-founder of Food Lover’s Market
- Travis Coppin, CEO of Food Lover’s Market Retail Division
- Andrew Millson, Group HR and Sustainability Executive
- Stephen van Vuuren, Managing Executive: Buying
- Lisa Currey, Managing Director of Hamiltons Advertising
The Seed of Change Top Ten 2024
- Mashela Mokgabudi – Gentishe Menstrual Cup
- Bontle Tshole – Baaa Health
- Hein Duvenhage – Arable Grow
- Lebogang Sibuyi – Lesedi Farm Holdings
- Shamoil Cassoojee – Cap ‘n Hook Fish Processing
- Gladys Mawoneke – Breva Beverages
- Tebello Khanya – Bonolo Scents
- Dario da Silva – Just Broth
- Mpho Sithole – Pure Folk Fermented Foods
- Lisa Labinjoh – Lilah’s Kitchen
Looking Forward
We are delighted to see the Seeds of Change Supplier Development Partnership grow, encompassing diverse products from feminine hygiene to plant-based foods, gut health products, vertical farming, eco-friendly detergents, and fish processing. This initiative allows us to create employment and social impact across South Africa, making Food Lover’s Market a one-stop destination for all our customers’ needs.
Special Thanks and Future Plans
We extend our gratitude to our partners who have supported the growth of these social enterprises. Cap ‘n Hook, placed third, will receive a brand consultation with Hamiltons Advertising. Arable Grow, in second place, will receive quarterly business advice from our Co-Founder, Mike Coppin. Our winner, Pure Folk Fermented Foods, will receive a full year of coaching from Christoff Oosthuysen of the Social Enterprise Academy.
The Seeds of Change Development Partnership, part of our Earth Lovers initiative, was facilitated by the Social Enterprise Academy (SEA), supporting social change organisations in South Africa. We look forward to continuing this journey and welcoming more innovative entrepreneurs into our network.
To read about the 2023 winner, Neighbour Roots, click through the article: Seeds of Change 2023 winner. To follow Seeds of Change and other Earth Lovers feel-good stores, follow us on our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feelgood.flm/.
