GrowSA

The SA Urban Food & Farming Trust is part of a green economy partnership called GrowSA, which works to unlock the human potential in South Africa’s grass roots green economy by investing in catalytic people within catalytic projects.

What GrowSA does:

  • Training, education, mentoring and support of people working in gardens, kitchens, hubs and markets
  • Establishment, upgrade, support and mentoring of gardens, kitchens, hubs and markets, and the connections between them
  • Partnerships, networks and engagements with like-minded organisations

In 2026, GrowSA graduated its fifth cohort. Over five years, Grow SA has shown that strengthening food systems starts with strengthening people. Participants gain skills, confidence, networks, and opportunities that help them grow projects, create livelihoods, and deepen their impact in their communities. The programme has consistently nurtured entrepreneurship, environmental stewardship, communication, and leadership while opening pathways that might otherwise remain inaccessible.

The five-year journey reflects steady growth and strong outcomes. The pilot cohort began with eight participants and six graduates, while subsequent cohorts achieved completion rates of 80–90%, with attendance increasing from 75% to 85%. The programme has activated nearly 20 learning venues across Cape Town, engaged dozens of mentors and industry experts, created hundreds of income-generating opportunities, and supported initiatives spanning urban farming, food education, community kitchens, hospitality, environmental enterprises, and youth development.

GrowSA Stats (2021–2026)

  • 5 Cohorts Completed
  • More than 40 Social Entrepreneurs and Community Changemakers Supported
  • Attendance Improved from 75% to 85%
  • Completion Rates Consistently Between 80% and 90%
  • Nearly 20 Learning Venues Activated Across Cape Town
  • Hundreds of Meals Served During Programme Activities
  • Diverse Projects Supported Across Urban Farming, Food Education, Hospitality, Community Kitchens, Storytelling and Environmental Enterprises
  • Strong Alumni Network Established to Support Continued Learning and Collaboration

Read our stories of impact, or listen to our podcast series to learn more about their stories and experiences.

GrowSA forms part of a longer strand of SAUFFT’s work with farmers, food entrepreneurs, informal traders and others building livelihoods within Cape Town’s food system. Across different programmes and initiatives, this has included skills development and mentoring, enterprise support, market access and regulatory readiness, alongside work to create environments in which emerging enterprises can learn, connect and participate more effectively in markets.

[Read more about SAUFFT’s work supporting enterprise and livelihoods in Cape Town’s food system.]

GrowSA partners include the SA Urban Food & Farming Trust, SA Harvest, EcoBrick Exchange and Margolite Williams.

GrowSA is grateful for financial support from:

For more information, email hello@growsa.org.za.