Food Lover’s Market opens entries for aspiring social entrepreneurs

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS & VIDEO - For the third consecutive year, Food Lover’s Market opens entries for aspiring social entrepreneurs to join the company as a supplier.

Food Lover’s Market, South Africa’s largest privately owned retailer, is launching the Seeds of Change Supplier Development Partnership for the third consecutive year. This programme is an opportunity for aspiring social entrepreneurs to join the company as a supplier.

Terri Coppin-Harris, Culture and Communication Manager for the Food Lover’s Market Group, says,“We are deeply passionate about our communities, and Seeds of Change is a natural extension of this.”

Food Lover’s Markert launched the Seeds of Change Supplier Development Partnerships as part of the retailers’ impetus to be the best store in the community it serves. The retailer understands that there is a need to source local suppliers, specifically small businesses, that have integrated social change at the heart of their operation.

Says Coppin-Harris, “We realise that there is a big gap between launching a product and then being able to scale up through the engine of a big retailer like Food Lover’s Market. Seeds of Change connects those dots while enabling us to discover exciting fresh products and services that will delight our customers.”

Boikano Sikwane, co-founder of Chuck Chilli Foods.

“This is an opportunity to create employment and make a social impact across South Africa. We are looking for suppliers that mirror these socially focused values, are passionate about retail and are motivated to deliver the best quality product or service.”

As an emerging sector, social enterprises provide an opportunity to solve many of the prevalent social and environmental problems in South Africa while contributing to economic growth and job creation.

Unfortunately, this sector is still not prioritised as a key driver in the South African economy. Food Lover’s Market aims to challenge this mindset by presenting a unique opportunity for social enterprises to become part of the corporate supply chain.

VIDEO: Seeds of Change 2023 - Supplier Development Partnership

Says Coppin-Harris, “Over the last few years, it’s been an honour to partner with these remarkable businesses and see the social impact they make on a local level. It speaks directly to the core values of Food Lover’s Market, and their dedication to social impact, quality and innovation are critical to achieving a more sustainable economy.”

Applications open on Monday, 13 March 2023, and a free-to-attend introductory webinar will be held on 22 March 2023 - this webinar is designed to assist aspiring applicants in asking any questions about the application process.

Applications close on 17 April 2023, and the Top 20 successful applicants will be notified by 25 April 2023. Interested social enterprises may apply online.

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