Sharodan Farms scores big
Mbongeni Mguni | Wednesday November 11, 2026 15:18
The farm, which specialises in integrated farming and is citizen-owned, has joined 320 other community food gardens supported by the South African retail giant on the platform. During a market day event held recently, Sharodan Farms set up Checkers Airport Junction, where shoppers quickly snapped up the harvest of organic spring produce, Shoprite officials said in a statement. The market day takes the form of a curated pop-up retail environment that provides a platform to sell produce directly to the public whilst gaining practical market experience.
The support from Shoprite provides valuable skills passed on by the retailer to participants, including product presentation, pricing, customer relations, communication, and record-keeping. Shoprite officials said these can significantly strengthen a budding farmer and entrepreneur’s business.
Shoprite Group Chief Sustainability Officer, Sanjeev Raghubir, said when shoppers interact with growers in a market setting, the relaxed yet professional exchange helps build confidence amongst the sellers, whilst giving buyers an opportunity to connect directly with the people behind the produce.
Sharodan Farms owner and chief gardener, Betty Thusi, said the more exposure she gets to customers, the more she is able to sell and gain courage to produce new and different products.