South Africa - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Creating an App that connects the demand for food with "imperfect foods"

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

My project will involve sourcing vegetables from farmers that was either surplus foods or rejected by retailers due to aesthetic reasons. The foods will be processed into pickled vegetables and sold either as pickled vegetables or vegetable boxes on App to customers. Any vegetables that are no longer suitable for consumption will be made into compost that will be sold to farmers. In this way eliminating any food waste.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Food waste. Food waste in South Africa is a concerning problem, with an estimated 10-12.6 million tonnes in food waste yearly in South Africa. This is a third of the total food production in the country. Fruit & vegetables make up 44% of overall losses. While farmers have produce that is quality and good to eat but fails to make it to market.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

My platform will create alternative markets for farmers It will provide customers with easily accessible healthy food options at their convenience It will contribute towards strengthening South Africa's food system by creating a platform where demand and supply meet

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Farmers (Small, emerging and commercial farmers) Low income to middle income South Africans

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-05-10

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

0

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Not applicable

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nozipho-soka-567456237/

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

l) Agriculture

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

4

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Not Applicable

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

My project will be providing a platform where farmers can sell their surplus produce or produce that was rejected by retailers due to aesthetic reasons but is still quality produce. Customers can also easily access healthy food options that will be sold at lower prices than retailers. This will contribute towards fighting hunger by connecting consumers to food that is perfectly good to eat that would have otherwise gone to waste

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

By making healthy food options (vegetables) accessible to South Africans on a platform can contribute towards their good health and well-being

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

2

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Not applicable

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Not applicable

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Not applicable

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

My project will be creating jobs and contributing towards skill development through hiring and training women in agro-processing and value addition

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Not applicable

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Not applicable

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Not applicable

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Not applicable

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

4

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Not applicable

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

Not applicable

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Not applicable

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

2

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

4

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

5

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

4

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.08 Justification

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Online shopping platforms and retailers I would stand out because of my price offering, I would be purchasing produce at a lower rate and re-selling at lower rates, as this would have been produce that would have otherwise gone to waste

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes, by employing females and training them on skills that they can use to start own enterprises