TOGETHER, WE WERE THE CHANGE!
Hunger Month 2026
In a year where many South Africans are facing financial pressure of their own, customers, suppliers, partners and colleagues across the Food Lover’s family have come together to achieve something extraordinary.
Through Food Lover’s Market’s 10th annual Hunger Month campaign, South Africans helped fund 16,357,829 meals, exceeding our original target of 10 million meals by more than 63% and making this the most successful Hunger Month campaign in our history.
The result is particularly significant when viewed against the backdrop of South Africa’s growing hunger crisis. While the country produces enough food to feed its population, millions of South Africans continue to experience food insecurity, highlighting that the challenge is often not food availability, but food access.
The campaign also marks a major milestone. Since launching in 2016, Hunger Month has now helped fund a total of 37,857,829 meals through FoodForward SA’s food recovery network.
The Relationship Between Food Lover’s Market and Food Forward SA
Our long-standing partnership with FoodForwardSA plays a vital role in helping us deliver on our purpose of Changing Lives.
FoodForwardSA is one of South Africa’s leading food redistribution organisations. Through their established national network, quality surplus food is recovered from farmers, manufacturers and retailers, and redistributed to verified beneficiary organisations across the country. This efficient system ensures that good food does not go to waste, but instead reaches communities where it is needed most.
Together with FoodForward SA, Food Lover’s Market is able to support thousands of beneficiary organisations that provide meals to vulnerable families, children and individuals facing food insecurity.
By working together, we are able to extend the reach of Hunger Month and help create meaningful change in communities across South Africa.
Thank you message from Brian Coppin
When we set our goal of funding 10 million meals for the 10th Hunger Month campaign, we knew it would take a collective effort. What we didn’t expect was the extraordinary response from South Africans.
Together, you helped fund an incredible 16,357,829 meals.
As I reflect on that number, I am filled with gratitude. Not only for the meals themselves, but for what they represent, thousands of people choosing to help others at a time when many are facing challenges of their own.
To every customer who donated at the till, thank you. Your generosity will help FoodForward SA and its network of community partners support families and communities across South Africa.
On behalf of the entire Food Lover’s family, which includes FreshStop, VetsMart, Market Liquors and Food Lover’s Eatery, THANK YOU for helping us make our 10th Hunger Month our biggest and most impactful yet.
Together, we are changing lives.
How it Worked
Through our Hunger Month campaign and partnership with FoodForward SA, every 47 cents helped provide a meal.
FoodForward SA operates a smart food recovery system that connects quality surplus food from farmers, manufacturers and retailers with a national network of beneficiary organisations.
Contributions from our campaign helped fund the logistics needed to collect, store and distribute this food safely and efficiently. Because the food itself is donated, even small donations helped go further in supporting people who need it most.
What may have seemed like a small contribution became part of something much bigger.
Together, our customers, teams and partners helped provide meals, support communities and make a meaningful difference.
Thank you for helping us fight hunger, one meal at a time.
Real partnerships. Real impact.
Hunger Month is powered by people, partners and purpose. Explore the stories of the community organisations and suppliers helping us bring meals, hope and support to South Africans who need it most.
Our Partners
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