Repurposing surplus food for positive change
Andy Du Plessis
Andy Du Plessis tackles South Africa's food insecurity by championing community restaurants in under-served areas. His core idea involves repurposing surplus food for nutritious meals and youth empowerment. These restaurants, beyond addressing food insecurity, act as catalysts for reducing crime and fostering social cohesion. Du Plessis stresses the need for regulatory changes to boost food donations. His holistic approach aims to enhance surplus food access for the vulnerable, ensuring lasting positive impacts on communities and individuals. Du Plessis envisions transformative spaces that confront broader societal challenges, going beyond immediate needs to create comprehensive and sustainable solutions.
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Andy heads FoodForward SA, a non-profit combating food insecurity through surplus food recovery. Over a decade, he grew it into South Africa's biggest food distribution group using the FoodShare platform. With 30 years of experience, Andy led the Peninsula School Feeding Association for 15 years. He advocates for South African Food Donation Regulations, emphasising how nutritious food access improves lives, reduces poverty, and stimulates economic growth. Andy holds an Honours Degree from UWC and an MPhil from the University of Pretoria
LinkedIn: Andy Du Plessis
Web: foodforwardsa.org