The success of the Food Socks nutritional meals produced at the Garden Route Food Pantry has been so significant that a new factory will be opened in Cape Town on 1 July.
Currently, the meals are produced in George only and supplied right across the South Africa.
The project is the brainchild of
Carl van Blerk, founder and CEO of the food pantry.
Food Socks consist of eight differently flavoured meals, each packed in one easy-to-prepare biodegradable plastic sleeve.
Each sock can easily feed four to six people with half socks also available for single persons or couples.
It was developed over the last few months with the help of food experts such as the late chef, Francois Ferreira from the Francois Ferreira Academy.
The Food Pantry officially opened its doors in January 2021. In January 2023, a significant milestone was reached after having served more than two million meals to beneficiaries across the Garden Route, Klein Karoo and Central Karoo regions.
This amounted to a value of goods exceeding R6-m.
On Monday 5 June, Van Blerk told George Herald that the Food Sock meals have become extremely popular in all sectors of society.
He never thought it would be so successful, and at such a rapid pace.
"I am beyond words," he said.
There are currently 230 distribution points across the country, meaning that the present facility in George is simply not large enough to cope with the growing demand, and the pressure to expand is growing.
New factory
The new factory will be 1 000 square metres in size and employ between 60 and 70 people.
The possibility even exists that more factories will be opened later this year in other provinces with further opportunities to expand internationally to African countries.
They hope to produce more or less 8 000 Food Socks per day within the next couple of months.
According to Van Blerk, the reason for the popularity of the Food Socks is due to them being extremely affordable, nutritious and great tasting meals for the whole family.
There are two different sizes: the half size for R30 which is enough for 2 persons and the full size for R40 which can feed four people.
Van Blerk said that although there is a great demand from people who are in need of affordable food, the Food Sock is also the perfect product to fulfil a critical need during disasters, as well as for campers, cyclists, bikers, and many more.
Anyone who wishes to get involved, can make contact via Facebook/ GardenRouteFoodPantry or can contact Van Blerk directly on
071 427 563 (WhatsApp preferred).
More info on the Food Sock can be obtained at www.foodsock.co.za.