The Waitrose Foundation
The Waitrose Foundation is a partnership created in 2005 to help improve the lives of the farm workers and smallholders who grow our produce in South Africa, Kenya and Ghana. During a speech he made in parliament Winston Churchill once said, “we make a living by what we get and we make a life by what we give” - and how appropriate are these words when considering the work being done by the Waitrose Foundation.
Instead of funding through a price premium, Waitrose - in conjunction with growers, importers and exporters, passes a percentage of profits into a trust to pay for projects. These include educational, social and healthcare projects, and are chosen by farm workers and smallholder committees. Money raised by the sale of Waitrose Foundation produce is therefore spent on projects that are chosen by and directly benefit the farm workers and smallholders.
What makes the Foundation a success?
- Sustainability of the model linked to the commercial arm - it is not a handout
The fund that goes to farm workers and smallholders for projects is directly related to the volumes of produce they supply to Waitrose seasonally or annually. The stakeholders in the supply chain contribute to the fund out of their profits; not the custom. - Decision making power vested in worker committees and a bottom-up approach
Projects are decided by smallholders and farm workers themselves for themselves. - Personal involvement of Foundation team and the resultant relationship created and maintained
Farms are visited regularly by Waitrose and our suppliers to build and maintain good relationships. The Foundation team makes a special effort to attend all events where the farm workers invite them, eg ABET graduations, concerts, sports matches and tournaments, sports days and other community activities.
What's in it for Waitrose?
In order for Waitrose to continue to buy produce from these countries in the long term, it is vital we invest in the farm workers and small holders that grow it. South Africa, Kenya and Ghana are important sources of produce for Waitrose - the diverse climates and landscapes enable a wide range of products to be grown. It is key for us to secure the future of these sources as those countries move through great changes.
The Waitrose Foundation is an example of how Waitrose works in partnership with its supply base to build sustainable relationships
How can I find Waitrose Foundation products?
Look out for the Waitrose Foundation logos on oranges, lemons, clementines, red, pink and white grapefruit, satsumas, grapes, apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, avocados and dried mango, prepared fruit, green vegetables and flowers. Please note that these products have seasonal availability. Also available are two Foundation wines from the Cederburg estate and Waitrose Foundation marmalade.
Is this scheme part of Fairtrade?
No, Waitrose Foundation produce is branded as Waitrose and complements the Fairtrade range. Our scheme is fully funded by Waitrose and the other parties in our supply chain, and is a natural extension of our existing trading principles. You can learn more here about how Waitrose supports Fairtrade.
Bursaries
The Waitrose Foundation bursary fund is awarded annually to beneficiaries on Foundation farms for tertiary education.
Joline Isaacs, 2008
“I like to study a lot, but it means a lot of hard work at school to reach the point where I am now. If a person has dreams but he or she does not do anything about it, then it will always just stay as a dream, but if you work at it, then it is possible to fulfil your dreams.”
Marco Rooi, 2008
“To all the children on my farm, all I ask from you is to work hard. Not all of you are good at academics, and that’s what makes us human, but all of us are good at something, whether it is sports, drama, etc. It’s up to you to figure out what you are good at.”
Likhaya Batyi, 2009
“Through the Waitrose Foundation, I started to join projects - ABET classes and life skills. I started to focus and plan my life. I was working hard and promoted twice. Then I had the opportunity to study any tertiary course of my choice. I decided to study a 3-year Diploma in Human Resource Management. By working hard it is possible to achieve.”
Mzomhle Tshapile, 2009
“In life we get different challenges, but one thing we must not forget is that all of these challenges were meant to be overcome. Sometimes we may feel like these impediments are too strong, but they are not, it’s just that we need to work hard to overcome them.”
Siyabonga Mathebula and Conre Jantjies, 2010
Siyabonga says “I grew up on a farm called Mhlati, in a huge family that included my grandfather, grandma, 5 siblings and my uncle. It was not easy to get anything I wanted because we were many, but growing up in that family was actually interesting because what they wanted from us was to study and be something in life. I completed my matric last year with flying colours and I’m now furthering my studies at the College of Agriculture in Nelspruit. I would like to thank the Waitrose Foundation for making my life better and giving me a chance to be a role model to other youngsters.”
Update: In 2009, Jolene Isaacs and Marco Rooi both graduated from the Boland College in Stellenbosch having obtained their Certificates in Financial Management.
Waitrose
Useful information
About us
Terms of service
Our other websites
© 2012 Waitrose
Follow us on ...