In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Faith Brown, General Manager of the Waitrose Foundation Southern Africa, to reflect on the Foundation’s 20-year journey of transformation, community empowerment, and sustainable development across Southern Africa’s fruit farms.
Faith shares her personal story—starting as the very first person appointed to the Waitrose Foundation’s South African office in 2006, taking a break to raise her family, and returning to lead the organization once more. Together, they explore how this pioneering supply chain initiative has grown from 6 farms to over 360, with a mission to invest directly in the people who grow and pack the produce that ends up on UK shelves.
From early childhood education centres and youth development programs to water security, healthcare access, and bursaries, the Waitrose Foundation has created grassroots change in farm communities. Faith opens up about the structure of the Foundation, its governance, how funds are allocated, and the real-life stories of individuals who’ve flourished thanks to these investments—including a bursary recipient now pursuing a PhD in climate resilience.
This episode provides an inspiring, behind-the-scenes look at what makes the Waitrose Foundation unique in the global retail landscape—and why it matters now more than ever.
Key Takeaways:
•The Waitrose Foundation is a UK retail-led initiative supporting farming communities across Southern Africa.
•Faith Brown was the Foundation’s first appointment in South Africa and now leads it as General Manager.
•Over 20 years, the Foundation has expanded to over 360 farms and returns around £1 million annually to support community-driven projects.
•Projects include early childhood centres, youth skills development, health clinics, water security, internet access, bursaries, and more.
•Governance includes growers, importers, exporters, and Waitrose representatives, ensuring transparency and accountability.
•Empowerment is central: farm workers help decide how funds are used, creating ownership and long-term impact.
•The Foundation operates in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia, with similar models now replicated in 9 countries globally.
•The initiative is distinct from Fairtrade—consumers do not pay extra; instead, supply chain stakeholders reinvest profits.
Connect with Faith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faith-brown-831b0246/?originalSubdomain=za
More about The Waitrose Foundation: https://www.waitrosefoundation.org.za/
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