Organic Vegetables from Umthunzi Farming Community

In Western society we have been operating in a food system where more often than not, profit margins and efficiency takes precedence over sustainable and ethical living choices. Institutionalised by a supermarket culture which not only creates a huge problem in terms of wastage, single use plastics and unethical farming practices, but pushes us to consume food which benefits a globalised industrial food system and abolishes the need for local, independent and truly sustainable communities.

The notion of sustainability is a constant topic of conversation these days, especially when we consider it in relation to the food Industry (and rightly so). With documentaries like Cowspiracy (2014) and Sustainable (2016) making serious waves across the world, for the most part shocking its audience through insightful reality checks and re-education - I will never forget that it takes 2,500 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of beef - its no wonder that we are experiencing a new awakening when it comes to our relationship with food.

The truth is, most of us want to make sustainable choices, but feel totally put out when it comes to actually making them. It often puts you against the grain of the ‘quick, easy and cheap’ routine that has been laid out for you by our consumer society. For some, the problems with our environment have become so cataclysmic that they actually feel so removed from the problem itself that they instead choose do nothing at all. But it’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to this topic. There is hope, and there has certainly been movement in a positive direction.

It’s fair to say that I am proud to be living in a time where our national treasure is David Attenborough, a time where socio-political movements such as the Extinction Rebellion make front page news and stay there, and that young people like Greta Thunberg are becoming role models to people in power. There is no doubt that we are growing an affirmed collective consciousness when it comes to important topics like climate change, sustainable and ethical farming practices - and in turn how we in our everyday life choices can help make a difference.

Ubuntu Food believes that it is up to us to take accountability to reconnect with our farmers/suppliers, create transparency in food chains and ultimately foster communities in which we understand and exercise the power of making choices which can positively sustain us and the environment. Not forgetting to mention that there is the unquestionable benefit of improved quality and flavour of produce when you have a direct relationship with the food’s source.

During my time in South Africa I was able to explore these ideologies in a totally new context. Taking off my Westernised blinkers and opening my eyes to the issues we face from a grass roots level. Connecting with people across the Western Cape it became clear that whilst the socio economic and political landscape in South Africa was different to the UK, there is still a fundamental relationship between empowered grass roots communities and living sustainably. Both groups of people below are activists in their field, championing social and political change through positive action in their communities, reminding us of an alternative reality that is possible if we choose to reconsider, re-educate and revitalise our relationship with food and its source.

Umthunzi Farming Community

Founded in 2018, Umthunzi is a Cape Town based social enterprise with a mission to economically empower small scale urban farmers in low income townships in Cape Town, South Africa. For Umthunzi the long term sustainability of this responsibly sourced local food system is critical. Founders, Kim and Emma, and their team, are wholly invested in going beyond providing marketing, sales and distribution of the organic produce. Week on week they continue to empower their farmers through effective business skill development, community involvement and exposing them to new opportunities for growth (such as the introduction of new business technology).

Joining them on several packing days I was able to witness Umthunzi Farming community personify ubuntu in the work they do. Not only do they collectively bring together their produce in to order gain effective scale to service both retail and wholesale customers on a weekly basis, but they also empower their community through the effective knowledge sharing, farming, training and providing new business opportunities - they have recently introduced Farmers to an app which improves transparency with produce availability.

With just over a year in operation under their belt, it’s remarkable to see the growth and achievement of the Umthunzi community in such a short time. They remind us of the powerful relationship that exists when we understand and are connected to the source of our food. Umthunzi’s community spans beyond its farmers and looks at creating a transparent and integrated food system. Weekly customers, who have waited in anticipation for their harvest bag, delightedly share their collection of organic veg and recipe ideas they may have for that evenings meal on instagram which are then shared on the Umthunzi Page - have you ever posted a proud photo of your supermarket veg wrapped in single use plastics?

It’s invigorating to have been even a just a small part of their journey so far and I’m excited to see what is yet to come. You can keep in touch with their progress via their instagram.

Umthunzi Farming Community knowledge sharing on Packing Day

Veld & Sea

Based at the Good Hope Gardens Nursery in Cape Point, Veld and Sea offers seasonal and sustainable foraging classes, workshops and collaborative nature inspired events for public and private groups. An experienced based company that has created an ever growing community of people who are passionate about living and eating sustainability. Founder, Roushanna Gray, is well known to many and its no surprise given that in just 2019 alone she has been recognised by winning the Spier Sustainability award for her efforts to highlight South Africa’s local edible plant culture and to educate people on foraging.

Wild Crown Making using wild flowers, herbs and leaves

Having attended an immersive dining experience at the Good Hope Nursery at the beginning of the year, I felt like I had been let into a sacred community who celebrate, and advocate our connection with nature. A sensory feast from the moment you arrive at the tranquil nursery and make your wild flower crown, to the final good bye as you exit past the turquoise wood fired oven - it really is something special. The dinner was a BYOB plant based meal shared on a long wooden table meticulously decorated with a variety of wild shoreline treasures, and served with spoons made from shells creatively attached to painted sticks. From the decorations to the punchy natural flavours - such as wild herb infused chutneys, kelp butter and lasagne, edible and stuffed wild flowers - this experience really showcased what is possible if you choose to actualise nature’s potential.

Veld and Sea’s outlook is simple; “There is flavour, food and medicine all around us, we just have to learn how to recognize it”. Led by a diverse collective of inspiring and passionate people (meet the team) Veld and Sea effectively exposes, educates and encourages individuals from all walks of life to become more conscious, connected and creative when it comes to their relationship with their surroundings. I left the experience eager to strike a better balance with nature, to slow down and give myself the time to appreciate both its beauty, and it’s bounty.

For me, there were some real lessons to be learnt from Veld and Sea when it comes to the accessibility and utilisation of wild produce, immersive outdoor education and simple, yet so effective, wild cooking innovation.

If there was a call to action off the back of this article it would be to consider your own outlook on sustainability. What is your relationship with the food you consume (?) and what small decisions/actions can you make to empower your community and continue the drive towards sustainable living. I am not saying that we all need to spend our weekends in a forest to forage food (although some of us may be delighted to do that), instead can we improve the education experience for those who choose to venture that way? And finally, are you aware of what your community is currently doing to provide better access to local farmer produce?

For me, it is all about continuing to make small incremental changes towards a greener and more sustainable future. Making a conscious effort to spend more time with nature, to educate and connect myself to the local farming community and in doing so discovering the flavours and creativity that come from it.

Ubuntu

I am, because we are.

Write up: The Powerful relationship between community & sustainability

Umthunzi Farming Community

Veld & Sea