Maseru Food Gardens Shield 3639 Households from Rising Food Prices

ComMark is committed to addressing food security in worker communities in and around Maseru, Lesotho. Through the Food Gardens Project, initiated by ComMark and co-funded with Catholic Relief Services in Lesotho, we leverage and add value to the labour-intensive clothing and textile training programmes that we have sponsored in Maseru over the past five years. With ComMark partner, ALAFA, the project is targeting 5,000 poor households in urban and peri-urban areas. Thus far, 3639 households are included in the project.

Eightythree percent of the participants are women and over 50% of these women work in the local textile and clothing industry. As global food prices rise and regional prices are further impacted by food cartels, this project mitigates the impact of high food prices on families by increasing household access to fresh vegetables produced in home gardens. The project is closely monitored and particular research is being conducted on issues related to household demographics; household vulnerability; vegetable production practices; food consumption patterns; coping strategies; and social assets. Participants are also linked to ALAFA’s Nurse Case Managers, HIV/AIDS Coordinators and established peer support groups in order to actively involve textile and garment workers in and around Maseru. The ALAFA team works closely with Local Chiefs and Community Councilors to increase participation and impact.