In Protea Village, Brackenfell, a couple formed a non-profit company by the name Apple Tree that transformed an unused park into a thriving community vegetable garden in less than a year.

The garden has yielded enough crops to provide for residents as well as a food security programme for needy families in the area.

“We suddenly did not have income and had to act quick,” said Mandy Leibbrandt, who began the project last year February with her husband. “We decided to start an online fruit and vegetable shop. As orders increased, we started to deliver across the province and gained insight into several communities.

“We noted how many families lost their income and also how much land and open spaces were available for planting.”

As of right now, the project has 38 volunteer gardens, and 68 vegetable parcels have been delivered to needy families within Protea Village.

The project has seen support from the Department of Agriculture which provided a R171 000 grant for a borehole. The City also showed its support by encouraging the community to take ownership of otherwise abused public park spaces.

Darul Ihsan Media Desk