Cape Town - A fairly new and already sprawling Ocean View farm and restaurant, run entirely by a group of women, will be hosting its first high tea and tour event this Friday, and they have appealed to the public to support the initiative.
In 2019, an agri-training hub was formed in Ocean View by Justin Bonello of Neighbourhood Farm. The hub accepted its first batch of 20 interns in early 2020, with 10 qualifying early this year.
The farm was created from scratch in that first year. Then this year, management of the farm was handed over to five women who had formed a co-operative to collectively manage it.
Besides the five permanent positions, the farm also runs a volunteer programme for those who want to learn how to farm and do part-time work as farm labour and waitresses at the on-site café, Hoenderhok.
Ocean View Organic Farmers Co-operative chairperson Sophia Grodes said: “It’s created a livelihood for them. It’s also provided benefits to the community through vegetable donations to feeding schemes, a free allotment space for growers connected to soup kitchens (growers are provided with seedlings, compost and on-hand farming advice), and a safe space for community events and gatherings.”
Manager of the Caper Kitchen at Hoenderhok Janine le Roux said the high tea would take place this Friday, with two sessions: at 10.30am and 2.30pm. Cost is R150 a person.
“A tour will be conducted and a talk followed by high tea. There will be savoury items and sweet items as well as home-made lemonade and tea. We will also have a lucky draw for a voucher at Hoenderhok to the value of R100. Fresh and delicious organic vegetables will be for sale,” said Le Roux.
Co-operative manager Stefanie Swanepoel said: “This farm and restaurant is a locally- owned business run by coloured women on a mission to feed their own and surrounding communities with organic food. Today it’s on a long road to prosperity, but the resilience of the farmers to the many challenges, including Covid-19 lockdowns, has never wavered.”