We are excited to announce and present to you the Seeds of Change Top 10 of 2024. In February we received hundreds of applications from aspiring social and environmental entrepreneurs keen to be listed as suppliers through our 4th Supplier Development Partnership, Seeds of Change. On 4-5 May we ran an intensive 2-day online workshop for our top 30 applicants and after submitting various assignments and video pitches we are excited to announce that we have selected our Top 10 finalists!
A five-day boot camp for the Top 10 finalists will be hosted in Cape Town from 10-14 June, where they will gain the guidance, mentorship, and necessary skills to market their business and gain a deeper understanding of the global and South African retail landscape. This will include a review of trends and insight into production, logistics and marketing. On the last day of the boot camp, finalists will have the opportunity to take all that they’ve learned and deliver their final 3-minute pitch to the Food Lover’s Market Judging Panel, after which the winner will be announced on the same day.
We wish our Seeds of Change Supplier Development Partnership finalists all the best for the final selection round!
To find out more about these amazing social and environmental entrepreneurs that make up the Top 10 of 2024, check them out below:
Arable Grow SA
Hein Duvenhage
Arable Grow, a youth entrepreneur-led vertical farming startup, specializes in sustainable, fresh produce like microgreens and leafy greens. Our proximity to markets minimizes carbon footprint and maximizes nutritional value. Using up to 90% less water and land, and zero pesticides, we are committed to environmental sustainability. Partnering with Beaumont Primary School, South Africa’s oldest eco-school, we educate the next generation on urban farming. Catering to high-end restaurants, retailers, and delis, Arable Grow prioritizes organic, superior-tasting produce with longer shelf life. Our vertical farming ensures a consistent, year-round supply with minimal wastage, meeting the precise needs of our discerning clientele. This reliability and quality make us a favoured supplier, enhancing culinary experiences while adhering to sustainable, eco-friendly principles.
Baaa Health
Bontle Tshole
Baaa Health is a healthy food and beverage production company dedicated to transforming access to quality food. By partnering with small-scale farmers, Baaa produces nutritious and delicious products including juices, smoothies, water, and energy balls, providing a healthy alternative to chocolate. Our offerings help clients balance their demanding, fast-paced lifestyles with convenient, tasty quick foods. In addition to our product range, we also offer healthy corporate catering. Currently, Baaa products are available in selected stores, restaurants, and cafes. Our vision is to create a disruptive model in the healthy food industry by establishing a fast-food restaurant system and product line known for consistency, reliability, and quality. We aim to consistently provide healthy, delicious, and quick food options, making it easier for everyone to maintain a nutritious diet without compromising on taste or convenience.
Breva Beverages
Gladys Mawoneke
Breva Beverages manufactures dairy products using whole milk, fruit juices, and natural peanut butter. Our range includes long-life and fresh pasteurized whole milk, whole milk amasi, Greek yoghurts, and drinking yoghurts. We prioritize delivering food that tastes authentic, retaining no less than 4% butterfat to ensure our products like amasi and yoghurt taste rich and nutritious. Addressing the high cost of urban food, Breva implements sustainable micro-processing factories in local communities to cut costs, minimize waste, and boost efficiency, making our products price-competitive while creating local jobs. We operate a micro-factory in Randburg and are preparing a second one. Our products, particularly amasi and long-life milk, are popular across all consumer segments and are distributed to spaza outlets, a few chain stores and specialised food markets. Our localized factory also features an open-plan refillery to encourage container reuse and sustainability.
Cap’n Hook Fish Processing, Smokehouse & Fisheries
Shamoil Cassoojee
Cap’n Hook is one of South Africa’s few locally owned fish processing and smokehouse facilities, specializing in the country’s only bottled tuna, crafted using traditional techniques and recipes. Founded in 2019, Cap’n Hook emphasizes environmental consciousness with sustainably and ethically sourced seafood. Their range of products, including cold-smoked Yellowfin Tuna and Amberjack, is handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail. Cap’n Hook is dedicated to traceability and transparency throughout their supply chain, ensuring 100% marine life-friendly practices. By offering premium quality seafood, Cap’n Hook allows consumers to enjoy exceptional flavours while contributing to ocean preservation. Their commitment to affordable pricing ensures that sustainable seafood is accessible to everyone. Cap’n Hook invites consumers to join in their mission to protect the oceans while indulging in the culinary wonders of their artisanal fish and seafood products.
GentiShe Menstrual Cup Pty Ltd
Mashela Mokgabudi
GentiShe manufactures eco-friendly sanitary pads using highly absorbent, antibacterial, antifungal, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable natural cellulose from agricultural waste. These pads leverage the absorbent qualities of banana and bamboo fibres to ensure efficient blood capture, allowing minimal blood to reach the high-fibre waterproof layer, thus offering reliable leak protection. Their high absorbency means fewer pads are needed per cycle, making them cost-effective over time. GentiShe pads are gentle on the skin, reducing irritation risks, and they decompose under dark, damp conditions, reducing landfill waste. The used pads can be composted, enriching soil and contributing to the agricultural value chain, enhancing food security and reducing environmental impact. Designed to accommodate diverse menstrual flows, GentiShe provides an inclusive, sustainable menstrual care solution that addresses both health and ecological concerns, offering a holistic benefit to users and the environment.
Just Broth
Dario Da Silva
Just Broth is a business specialising in high-quality bone broth, offered in biodegradable containers. Catering to health-conscious consumers seeking nutritious and flavourful options, Just Broth stands out through its commitment to small-batch production, ensuring utmost freshness and taste. By using fresh ingredients and producing on the same day, the company prioritizes superior quality and flavour. Their emphasis on biodegradable packaging reflects a dedication to environmental sustainability, reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices. Just Broth creatively merges culinary excellence with social and environmental responsibility, offering a product that nourishes both body and planet. Their bone broth not only supports a healthy lifestyle but also contributes to a greener, more sustainable world.
Lesedi Farm Holdings
Lebogang Sibuyi
Lesedi Farm Holdings operates as a primary producer of vegetables on a 21-hectare farm in Bela-Bela, Limpopo, specializing in seasonal varieties like cabbage, spinach, mustard, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and squash. Established in 2022, their farming methods blend traditional techniques with modern practices to ensure sustainability and deliver top-quality produce. Serving a diverse clientele including retail outlets, restaurants, hospitals, prisons, street vendors, and fresh markets across Springs, Pretoria, Johannesburg, and soon in Mbombela, Lesedi Farm prioritizes supplying fresh, locally grown vegetables to the community. What sets them apart is their dedication to sustainability, community engagement, and organic farming. Through initiatives like sourcing manure from local farmers and employing integrated pest management, they minimize environmental impact while promoting soil health without resorting to synthetic fertilizers or harmful chemicals. Moreover, a portion of each harvest is donated to care homes and the elderly, showcasing their commitment to social responsibility. Continuously innovating, their current project involves constructing a net structure using recycled materials to expand organic production, emphasizing their creativity in sustainable resource utilization. Despite challenges like land disputes, Lesedi Farm remains steadfast in its mission to provide high-quality, organic vegetables while positively impacting the community and environment.
LetzWash Laundry Services Pry Ltd T/A Bonolo Scents
Tebello Khanya Bonolo Scents is a pioneering company dedicated to manufacturing eco-friendly laundry detergents, including Bonolo fabric softener and washing powder. Their mission is to provide effective cleaning solutions while minimizing environmental impact. Their products feature plant-based formulas crafted from bio-based ingredients, ensuring powerful cleaning without harmful chemicals. Prioritizing sustainability, they use biodegradable packaging to reduce plastic waste and promote eco-conscious choices. Bonolo Scents incorporates energy-efficient technologies into their manufacturing process to reduce carbon footprint, aligning with their dedication to a greener future. Their detergents are free from phosphates, sulfates, and other harmful additives, ensuring a safe and gentle wash for both clothes and the environment.Lilah’s Kitchen
Lilah’s Kitchen, a plant-based food manufacturing company, prioritizes health, happiness, and sustainability in their product line. Established in 2017 as Veggiewors, they gained recognition as a trusted vegetarian and vegan food manufacturer. Rebranded as Lilah’s Kitchen in 2023, their goal is to reach a broader audience with delicious, nutritious, and family-friendly offerings. Their range of sizzles, super sliders, and bites provide quick and easy guilt-free fast-food options for busy individuals seeking wholesome meals. With rising health concerns like obesity and heart disease, Lilah’s Kitchen aims to facilitate life-changing dietary choices by using only the finest wholefood ingredients. Their plant-based powerhouses, made from lentils, butternut, oats, onions, ground flaxseed, olive oil, tapioca starch, salt, and a blend of six spices, are designed to make healthy eating effortless. Proudly South African, Lilah’s Kitchen is committed to making a positive impact on people and the planet, one bite at a time.Pure Folk Fermented Foods
Mpho Sithole
At Pure Folk Fermented Foods, meticulous attention is given to crafting quality, wholesome, and delicious foods using the freshest ingredients. Their products stand out for being raw, preservative-free, and naturally fermented, ensuring maximum flavor and nutritional benefits. The range includes an exciting variety of sauerkrauts, kimchis, kombuchas, kombucha vinegar, ginger-infused beet kvass, water kefirs, and fire tonics. Rooted in a journey of hard work and humble beginnings, Pure Folk Fermented Foods is dedicated to serving those seeking to enhance gut health and overall well-being through natural foods. With ambitions to address health ailments and chronic illnesses, the business is driven by a passion for quality and the transformative potential of artisanal food and beverage production. Committed to sustainability, all products are packaged in recyclable glass, reflecting their environmental consciousness.
If you want to be a part of 2025, look out for the 5th instalment opening early next year. To read more about Seeds of Change, you can find out more about the application process and criteria on our Seeds Of Change page.
