February 2018
The Waitrose Foundation demonstrates its belief in the value/potential of partnerships by working closely with its member farms to design and implement social development projects. Support services to farms also include the process of partnership identification that can expand development opportunities for the workers and their families.
A farm that benefitted from this service is Auldearn in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The farm demonstrated that fun-filled, development opportunities can be created for their communities in partnership with local and regional institutions. They hosted an official provincial Cross-Country Running event that involved children, youth and adults from the farm as well as school and club representatives from regions across the Western Cape. This was done in cooperation with Grabouw Athletics Club and the Boland Cross Country Running Association. Intensive effort and cooperation between farm management and all workers ensured that necessary preparations were completed in time and according to official standards. Families enjoyed themselves, parents and teachers were passionate in their support of the participants and runners competed with determination on a new course, winding through the orchards of Auldearn Farm.
