Niël Terblanché
A newly established catering company SolFood is taking its business beyond the kitchen by integrating social responsibility into its core operations to address food insecurity in Walvis Bay.
During a courtesy visit last week, the founder of SolFood, Anya Kovaleva, met with Walvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes to discuss the company’s ongoing efforts to provide nutritious meals to children in need.
Kovaleva shared the origins of the initiative, explaining how a simple act of giving away surplus food evolved into a full-fledged project to support the community.
“We gave the surplus of our catered food away to children in the townships, and it sparked an idea: Why not start a project out of this and better the community we mean to serve?” she said.
According to Kovaleva, SolFood currently provides 50 meals per month to children in Kuisebmond, with plans to increase the number to at least 100 meals as the initiative grows.
She said another key element of the company’s commitment to social responsibility is donating 10% of its profits to ensure that children in need receive nutritious meals.
“What makes the project unique is that these meals are of the same high quality as those served to SolFood’s corporate clients,” she said.
Kovaleva said she gained deeper insight into the needs of the local community through her discussions with the mayor and expressed her determination to do more.
“By blending business with purpose, we strive to make a meaningful difference in the community, one meal at a time,” she said.
Forbes welcomed the initiative and expressed his gratitude for the company’s efforts to address a pressing community challenge.
“It’s heartening to know that with every 10 meals bought, a child will be fed,” he said.
According to Forbes, SolFood’s mission to combine entrepreneurship with a positive impact on the community is a model for how businesses can contribute to addressing social issues.
He also expressed hope that the company will inspire other businesses to follow suit to bring more sustainable solutions to Walvis Bay’s social challenges.
“SolFood, with its goal to deliver more meals and grow its community-driven approach, might become a symbol of hope and positive change for many in Walvis Bay,” he said.
