I am a big fan of supporting local food supply chains, buying produce from local urban farmers and small businesses that create niche food products using that produce. One of my favourite things in life has always been going to outdoor food markets, meeting local independent farmers, buying produce that has been lovingly grown and made. It might not be possible right now to go to such markets, but it is still possible to buy from our local urban farmers using some of the fast growing digital delivery services that support them. One of the challenges of modern living is that often residents of sprawling industrial and commercial cities often become detached from where their food comes from and how it is produced. In South Africa, entrepreneur Josephine Katumba, founder of Biakudia Urban Farming Solutions, is reconnecting people with their food and the environment through urban agriculture. She has a vision of growing a community of 10,000+ urban farmers in the country’s cities who are conscious about producing great, fresh food for city dwellers, and encouraging local supply chains to buy from these independent urban farmers. This type of model is growing elsewhere in the world, it has such great potential in African cities if we as consumers are prepared to support them through our own personal buying habits.
Have yourself an inspired entrepreneurial day! — Melanie