16 October 2026.
At Vrolike Vinkies Early Childhood Development Centre in Noupoort, the vegetables on the children’s plates now come from their own garden.
Months after the Noupoort Wind Farm, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, supported the centre with a vegetable garden start-up pack, the first harvests are coming in. The fresh produce goes straight into the meals prepared for the young learners, turning a simple start-up pack into a daily source of nourishment.
For the children, the garden is also a classroom. Watching food grow, from planting to harvest, builds an early appreciation for where food comes from. For the centre, it is a step towards being more resilient and less reliant on outside food assistance.
Noupoort Wind Farm has also extended support to four local ECD centres through grocery parcels, helping them meet the nutritional needs of the children in their care. Good nutrition is the foundation for healthy growth, learning and development, and it helps children take part in early learning and reach their milestones.
For Mrs Nondzaliseko Fuba, Principal of Zingisani Educare Creche, the parcel meant something beyond the groceries. “On behalf of Zingisani Educare Creche, I would like to express my deepest and most sincere gratitude for the grocery parcel we received. It is not just the food that touches our hearts, but the kindness, time, calls and effort behind it. Knowing that people care enough to support us, gives us great hope.”
World Food Day is a reminder that food security is about more than addressing hunger today. It is about making sure every child has the nourishment to grow, learn and thrive. This year’s theme, “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow,” fits what is happening in Noupoort, where practical, sustainable solutions are meeting immediate needs while building long-term resilience.