Waitrose Foundation

Poupart have been working with Waitrose for over 40 years and through that time we have worked closely together with a relationship based on trust and mutual respect. Through this strong relationship came the Waitrose Foundation which was launched in June 2005, the Waitrose Foundation is a partnership created to improve the lives of the farm workers who grow and pick our South African fruit. Initially launched within citrus this exciting project now includes many more South African produce including grapes, avocados and stone fruit and is growing every year.

The Waitrose Foundation is a unique partnership between Waitrose, their importers, the export agents and the growers who each donate part of their profits to create a fund which is spent each year on selected social and community projects for the farm workers, for example, by providing crèches, building classrooms, and helping with adult education and training in real skills. To date the Waitrose Foundation has raised £675,000.

www.waitrose.com/food/originofourfood/foundation.aspx

The Waitrose Foundation has funded the facilities and training in beadwork jewellery for seasonal workers from our grower Katco, this has enabled them to earn an income during the months when citrus is not produced. The picture was taken during their graduation after completing a month long training programme.

The training centre at Katco which is funded by the Waitrose Foundation and provides adult literacy classes for the workers on the farm.

The community hall in the workers village at our grower Golden Frontiers was funded through the Waitrose Foundation.

The training centre at our grower Chennels which is funded by the Waitrose Foundation and provides adult literacy classes for the workers on the farm.