The People’s Pantry (TPP) NPC

The People’s Pantry (TPP) evolved out of an emergency food intervention during the hard Covid lockdown in early 2020, when the sudden loss of economic opportunities led to a significant increase in hunger and food insecurity in Makers Valley, a neighbourhood in Johannesburg inner city, just east of the CBD (comprised of Bertrams, Lorentzville, Bez Valley, Troyeville and Judith’s Paarl neighborhoods ).

The People’s Pantry mission

To build food and environmental justice in Makers Valley and beyond through concrete actions to address local needs, empowerment, and advocacy at all relevant levels

Swop Shop model:

The People’s Pantry runs a unique Community Recycling Swop Shop, where members can exchange points earned through collecting recyclable materials for basic food and hygiene items. This system reduces the need for cash, promotes recycling, and helps cut down on food waste and its associated methane emissions. Currently, around 100 community members make use of the Swop Shop each week, and participation continues to grow

• The Community Swop Shop keeps food from going to waste.
• The Swop Shop encourages recycling.
• The Swop Shop allows people to access food with dignity, even without money

Community Kitchens

The People’s Pantry (TPP) supports four community kitchens providing healthy food to community members in need. We provide the community kitchens with rescued food (which would otherwise go to waste), fuel for cooking, starch and cooking oil to prepare meals.

Food & Environmental justice

The People’s Pantry (TPP)NPC recognizes that simply distributing food won’t address the root causes of food insecurity. While continuing to meet immediate needs, TPP is expanding its efforts to build a more equitable, sustainable food system through education, advocacy, and community-building, which already occur through conversations at the Swop Shop and workshops.