TV show goes from farm to shelf supporting locally-produced lamb

A new documentary series is bringing authenticity to food traceability by telling the stories of six sheep farmers from five provinces, following the journey of lamb from farm to the supermarket shelves of Pick n Pay.

The six-episode Die Hart en Siel van Skaapboerdery (The Heart and Soul of Sheep Farming) which starts on Kyknet on March 16 sees presenter Minki van der Westhuizen travel the country to tell the stories of farmers on their journey to the Southern Africa Agri Initiative (Saai)’s Lamb Champs competition where the top sheep farmer won R160 000 in prizes.

Lamb Champs was started to tell the story of family farmers, who, for the first time, have their products stocked at a national retailer thanks to Pick n Pay.

Anton Nel hails from Somerset East; Enoch Ralehoko from Beaufort West; Gawie van Heerden from Victoria West; Hendrik Kotze, Boela Wolmarans and Coenie Meyer from Groblersdaal; Jason Davel from Reitz; and the sole female farmer, Trudine Leonard from Kroonstad.

Some of the farmers have been on their family farms for decades, while some have recently hired land and started farming – but their work is all underscored with the same passion and dedication. Their meat, labelled with a Lamb Champs logo, can be found on shelves of 63 stores across most of South Africa.

“For Pick n Pay, the TV show is an extension of our on-going efforts to support local family farmers across the food chain, from meat to fruit and vegetables, helping them develop supply chain efficiency. Through this, we aim to contribute meaningfully to food security in the country,” said Pick n Pay Marketing Director Tessa Chamberlain. “We champion high quality, locally-sourced meat, and through our sponsorship of the show we are giving our customers access to a clear path of where and how food products are sourced, empowering them with the choice to support products which align with their values. When you reach for a pack of lamb from a grocery store shelf, there is a farmer who farmed with pride and passion behind each cut of meat.”

Francois Rossouw, CEO of Saai, described the documentary as “a story of family, tradition and heritage. It is an invitation to consumers to see where their meat really comes from, following the journey from farm to shelf but telling stories of perseverance and of farmers and the people in their lives who always make a plan (‘n Boer maak ‘n plan). We are grateful to Pick n Pay for creating shelf space, involving their buyers and making a promise to reduce the distance between farmer and consumer,” he said.

Lamb Champs: Die hart en siel van skaapboerdery starts on 16 March at 8pm on kykNET (DStv channel 144) and will be available on DStv Stream and Catch Up. The series has English subtitles.

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