The City of Cape Town has launched the Food Gardens Project on World Food Day by investing R150,000 in 10 community food gardens in vulnerable areas. It is a collaborative effort of the Public Empowerment and Development Department along with the Western Cape Government’s Community Development Worker (CDW) Programme.
The Food Gardens Project launched on Thursday, Oct 16, 2025 aims to tackle food security by feeding thousands of residents and up-skilling the community so that future generations will continue to benefit from sustainable food production practices and by transferring knowledge.
Community Development Food Gardens Project consists of 10 community food gardens which are at different stages of development in areas such as Nyanga, Langa, Delft, Crossroads, Bonteheuwel, Mitchells Plain, Atlantis and Philippi.
The project was launched at the Masithembele Food Garden in Delft as one of the community sites are already making strides in this space.
This investment of R150,000 will provide the 10 food gardens with various items depending on their needs. It could range from compost bins, to compost, cultivation tools, rakes, spades, sprinklers, irrigation systems, hosepipes, seeds, greenhouse tunnels and fencing to secure the perimeter protection from animals and unauthorised access.
Member of the Mayoral Community for Urban Waste Management – Alderman Grant Twigg said that the Food Gardens Project takes a holistic, community-centered approach with multiple beneficiary groups to nurture a love and appreciation for food gardening which benefits the vulnerable communities in various ways.
This envisioned that the rollout of these gardens over time will feed thousands of people, from children to the elderly, with fresh, pesticide-free nutritious vegetables and meals. It will also encourage gardening activities, social cohesion and gaining agricultural skills and knowledge which will ensure that these gardens will continue to benefit the future generations.
Notably, the gardens were identified through the CDW Programme, in partnership with the Western Cape Government, as an initiative that places trained development workers in communities to identify their needs, mobilise resources, and coordinate community development activities.