For every farm worker there are, on average, 4 dependents that rely on the fruit industry to provide education, housing, health and social care. The South African fruit industry is committed to supporting its workers and their families and this competition is just one way it is increasing awareness and providing support for its employees.
South Africa’s diverse landscapes are not only stunning to admire and explore but also produce some of the world’s most delicious, best quality fruit. The amazing combination of Mediterranean climate, steep hillsides, excellent soils and over 100 years of experience has helped make the South African fruit industry so successful.
South Africa is home to a lot of the fruit that ends up on our supermarket shelves, from juicy and sweet plums, peaches, and nectarines in our winter, to delicious and crunchy apples and pears, and sweet tasting grapefruit in our summer. Growers are working together with the South African government to provide a future of stability and equality for all South Africans in the fruit industry. The fruit industry provides education, housing and farm management opportunities for farm workers and their families.
• Identify everyday fruit
• Research how fruit grows – fruit cycle
• How does it reach our lunch boxes
Peaches and Nectarines
South African peaches and nectarines are mainly grown in the Western Cape. The sheltered valleys between mountains are ideal for the cultivation of fruit such as plums, peaches, nectarines, apples and pears. South African peaches and nectarines are available from December to February in all major UK retailers
Plums
Growers in South Africa's Western and Eastern Cape cultivate a wide range of delicious red, purple and yellow plums, offering you a wide range of flavours, textures and colours. South African plums are available in all major UK retailers from January to March.
Apples
The majority of South African apples are grown in the Elgin Valley
in the Western Cape. Fruit growers in this area cultivate a wide range
of tasty green and red apples.
South African apples are available from March to October in all major
UK retailers.
Pears
South African pears are mainly grown in the Western Cape. Areas including Elgin, Ceres and Wolseley are particularly well known for their pear production. South African pears are in season from February to August and are available across all major UK retailers during this time.
Grapefruit
South African grapefruit are mainly grown in the Northern and Eastern regions of South Africa. They are available in UK supermarkets between May and October.
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myHermes, the online delivery service, have been kind enough to donate their services and collect books from all participating schools throughout the UK
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For more information about the Help a South African School Competition click here