'We never deny food donations based on race'

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Woolworths has responded to claims it has indirectly promoted “racial discrimination” through its food donations to non-profit company FoodForward SA.

According to commentary on social media this week, the retailer was accused of ignoring white South Africans in dire need based on their donor’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies.

WOOLWORTHS RESPONDS TO ‘RACIST POLICIES’ ALLEGATIONS

Following the allegations on the social media platform X, Woolworths attempted to set the record straight that it promoted racial discrimination.

It posted: “We want to be very clear. Woolworths will never deny food donations to a person in need based on their race. Our surplus food is distributed through Food Forward SA [FFSA] to those who need it most. While FFSA has operational requirements that beneficiary organisations must meet, none of these are based on race. In fact, FFSA states that organisations requesting membership ‘may not discriminate against any person on the basis of race.’

It continued: “At Woolworths, B-BBEE requirements do NOT factor into where our surplus food will land. The food we donate through Food Forward SA has no associated B-BBEE benefits for Woolworths. We partner with them for the efficient and ethical distribution of surplus food only.

“Any of the 2000+ beneficiary organisations who receive our surplus food can confirm that no donations are ever given on the condition of race”.

Woolworths warned against the “spread of fake news,” which could “deepen the divide between South Africans.”

It added: “We urge our customers to be mindful of the content they share and to contact us directly with any questions they may have.”

NO DISCRIMINATION, SAYS FOODFORWARD SA

According to an application for membership, FoodForward SA claims that donors “may not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, nationality, religion, political affiliation, etc.”.

FoodForward SA was formed in 2009. According to Woolworths, it delivered 4 400 tonnes of food to 600 NPOs in 2024, which resulted in 17.6 million meals for 250 000 hungry South Africans.