EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES THROUGH SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION.
Climate-smart food solutions for lasting change.
South Africa’s nutrition and food security crisis is deeply entangled with climate change, poverty, and systemic inequality. At Operation Hunger, we address this complexity by planting seeds of sustainability — literally. Through bio-diverse, community-driven gardens, we grow solutions that feed families, restore ecosystems, and strengthen futures.
NUTRITION IN CRISIS:
A TRIPLE BURDEN WORSENED BY CLIMATE.
Shifting rainfall patterns, droughts, floods, and rising temperatures are all worsening food insecurity in South Africa. Coupled with socio-economic challenges from COVID-19 and inflation, communities face a dangerous “triple burden” of malnutrition — undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency, and obesity.
%
Hunger Crisis
Roughly 15% of South Africans face daily food insecurity.
%
Low Diversity
Over one-third of households lack varied, nutrient-rich meals.
%
Low Intake
Fruit and veg intake meets only half of WHO recommendations.
%
Cost Barrier
Healthy diets are nearly 70% more expensive than unhealthy ones.
%
Veg Inflation
80% of the most inflated food items are vegetables.
%
Poor Nutrition
64% of low-income families rely on calorie-dense, low-nutrient foods.
GROWING FOOD GROWING FUTURES.
Our 25m x 25m bio-diverse gardens are more than food plots — they are resilient, self-sustaining nutrition hubs that feed communities, generate income, and support local ecosystems.
Community Reach
Each garden supports sustainable nutrition for up to 2,000 people.
Secured Space
Fenced perimeters ensure safety and protection of garden assets.
Water Efficiency
Irrigation systems provide consistent water supply throughout the year.
Smart Planting
Organic, permaculture, and companion methods boost resilience and yield.
Healthy Soil
Regenerative techniques restore soil health and reduce chemical use.
Diverse Crops
A wide range of produce enhances nutrition and dietary variety.
Daily Feeding
Feeds 350 families daily through local Operation Hunger schemes.
Income Support
Produce sales to locals help sustain the garden and support livelihoods.
GROWING IMPACT.
Operation Hunger’s community garden model is a step-by-step approach designed for long-term sustainability, community empowerment, and food security. From site selection to impact tracking, each phase builds resilience and drives meaningful change on the ground.
01.
ONBOARDING
Community-led site selection and mobilisation ensure local buy-in from day one.
02.
SETUP
Irrigation systems and garden beds are installed to support year-round growing.
03.
TRAINING
Participants gain skills in organic farming, soil care, nutrition, and local market sales.
04.
MONITORING
We track garden yields, nutrition output, and household income to measure success.
05.
SCALING
Replicable systems enable garden expansion and long-term sustainability tracking.
WHY THESE GARDENS MATTER.
Community gardens are more than food sources — they are engines of social upliftment and environmental regeneration. Each garden cultivates local resilience by improving access to nutritious food, transferring valuable skills, and generating income, while simultaneously restoring ecosystems, promoting biodiversity, and preserving indigenous farming knowledge. Their impact is deeply rooted in both people and planet.
Community Benefits.
Better access to nutrient-dense food.
Income generation from local produce sales.
Skills transfer: nutrition, gardening, business.
Access to informal markets.
Community pride & ownership.
Children learn food origins & sustainability.
Environmental Benefits.
Reduces soil erosion & water runoff.
Lowers local temperatures (heat island mitigation).
Enhances air quality (CO₂ absorption).
Preserves indigenous farming knowledge.
TEACHING TODAY, GROWING TOMORROW.
Our community gardens double as living classrooms, offering hands-on exposure to growing, harvesting, and preparing nutritious food. Participants learn about environmentally friendly farming, food system economics, and dietary needs — empowering future generations with the knowledge to stay healthy and self-sufficient.
PAYFAST & EFT DONATIONS
MONTHLY DONATIONS
From as little as R200 per month you can help to feed one of South Africa’s vulnerable families on an ongoing basis.
INTERNATIONAL DONORS
This form is for international donors.
Please first select your currency and then the amount of you would like to donate.
get in touch, HELP SOUTH AFRICA
Achieve sustainabLE NUTRITIONAL SECURITY!
There are so many ways in which you can get involved to help contribute to fighting malnutrition in this beautiful country. We look forward to hearing from you.