Food Lover’s Market raise R3.5 million with help from customers, suppliers and store teams in national hunger campaign.

Cape Town, 9 June 2025 – Food Lover’s Market has proudly announced that 7 million meals were donated during World Hunger Month 2025, equating to a massive R3,511,224.50 raised to support food-insecure South Africans. The campaign, run in partnership with FoodForward-SA, once again showcased the power of community to drive meaningful change.

Thanks to an overwhelming show of support:

            •           4.7 million meals were contributed by suppliers

            •           Customers donated meals at tills for just 50 cents each

            •           And Food Lover’s Market matched customer donations on World Hunger Day, 28 May

Now in its ninth year, Hunger Month continues to be a flagship initiative in the retailer’s purpose to “Change Lives”. Since 2016, the campaign has resulted in over 21.5 million meals donated, with excitement building toward its 10-year milestone in 2026.

“Changing Lives isn’t just a purpose on paper — it’s what we live for,” says Terri Coppin-Harris, Terri Coppin-Harris, Culture and Communication Manager. “Whether it’s our suppliers pledging meals, our customers giving at the tills, or our store teams championing the cause, this campaign proves that South Africans show up for each other when it matters most.”

Addressing a National Crisis

Food insecurity continues to plague South Africa, with more than 13 million people going hungry daily and nearly 25% of households reporting food shortages (StatsSA, 2024). World Hunger Month serves as a national call-to-action to support sustainable hunger relief and social impact.

Through its longstanding partnership with FoodForward-SA, which reaches more than 935,000 people daily via its pioneering food banking model, Food Lover’s Market ensures every donation counts.

A Year-Round Commitment to Communities

World Hunger Month is just one part of Food Lover’s Market’s broader impact strategy. Through its Earth Lovers programme, the retailer donates surplus food weekly to local beneficiary organisations — including community kitchens, shelters, and support centres — selected and supported by store teams to ensure donations stay hyper-local.

“Our stores aren’t just where people shop — they’re community hubs,” adds Coppin-Harris. “The food we donate, the partnerships we build, and the meals we provide — they all serve the same purpose: to change lives in the communities that need it most.”

As the brand looks ahead to a decade of Hunger Month in 2026, it remains grounded in a simple, powerful truth: a small act of kindness, like donating 50c, can feed a person — and spark real change.