Waitrose Foundation

We care about trading fairly with our suppliers and contributing to the sustainable development of the communities where our farmers and workers live.
Children playing outside the renovated Sekyikrom Kindergarten
Children playing outside the renovated Sekyikrom Kindergarten

The Waitrose Foundation is a supply chain partnership that returns a percentage of profits from the sale of produce to fund projects chosen by the farmers and smallholders who grew it. Launched in South Africa in 2005, Waitrose believes the Foundation is a model for the future of socially responsible trading.

By putting some of our profits back through the supply chain, farm workers are able to invest in their own communities, and in turn deliver the best quality products for our customers. Locally-elected worker committees decide what the community needs most, such as crèches, adult education classes, recreational facilities projects to improve health standards. In 2008, we introduced tertiary education bursaries. Our first two students graduated in financial management from Stellenbosch College in 2010 and the scheme is now funding the studies of four more bursary students.

In South Africa, the Foundation also links in with the South African government's strategy of Black Economic Empowerment. This is a framework intended to support the participation of black South Africans as owners, managers, professionals and skilled employees in the agricultural sector.

In October 2011, five coaches from the Partnership embarked on a two-week sports coaching programme in South Africa, allowing the children of Foundation farm workers to partake in fun and educational sporting activities during their school holidays. Focusing on rugby, football and netball, 180 children took part in the programme, which also engaged with Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport coaches in the local area to develop their coaching skills.

There are 100 products in the Waitrose Foundation range, which has raised over £4 million and launched over 230 projects since 2005.

The Foundation beyond South Africa

The Waitrose Foundation has a long-term approach and it's clear our customers have responded with enthusiasm to its principles. In 2009, we launched two further Foundations: one in Kenya to cover the supply of vegetables and flowers, and one in Ghana for our prepared fruit.

Examples of community initiatives funded by the Foundation include:

  • opening a sanitation facility in Ghana's Akwapim South District, allowing access for more than 2,000 local residents. According to the Ghana Health Service, the facility reduced the annual cholera outbreak in the community to zero
  • a project that enables farm workers in South Africa to make saleable items like flower pots, tripods and candle holders, from scrap metal to generate income
  • installing solar powered street lighting in the town of Ravine, Kenya, to improve security on the major footpaths workers use to walk home at night

Find out more about the Waitrose Foundation (www.waitrose.com) or download the Waitrose Foundation Annual Report 2011 (PDF size: 4.8MB).

'The Waitrose Foundation has changed our lives because we now have a community hall that we can use for lots of different things – and the youth can keep out of trouble because they use the training room for the internet and homework. ABET (Adult Basic Education & Training) has made big changes as people in the community can now read and write – this is a big thing.'

Ruth Dudumashe, Naudeshof grape farm

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