Our mission
At Food Sock Meals we are driven by one mission: to tackle food insecurity and unemployment in South Africa. We believe a complete, affordable meal should be within reach of every household, and we have committed ourselves to making that a reality for as many people as possible.
Our journey
Food Sock Meals was founded to create a sustainable answer to food scarcity, and has grown into a dynamic social enterprise. It began with a simple idea: affordable, convenient meals for the people who need them most. Over time that vision has grown to include economic empowerment through entrepreneurship.
Our impact
Today Food Sock Meals stands at the forefront of social innovation. Our model provides complete meals and supports over 400 reseller entrepreneurs across the country. By enabling local entrepreneurs we create a ripple effect of positive change: more economic stability, more self-reliance and stronger communities.
Our approach is twofold
Meeting immediate needs while building long-term sustainability.
A complete meal, in just 1 pot.
Each Food Sock serves 4, or 6 to 8 children, and is made with plant-based protein. Just add water, cook, and dinner’s ready.
Empowering entrepreneurs
Through our Reseller Programme we mentor and support entrepreneurs, giving them the skills and resources they need to succeed.
Our expansion
The success of Food Sock Meals in South Africa is just the beginning. We are actively exploring opportunities to take our model to other regions, adapting to local contexts to tackle food insecurity on a global scale.
Our commitment
Our commitment goes beyond business. We are dedicated to social welfare, environmental sustainability and community development. Our partnerships with corporates, NGOs and local communities are a testament to our collaborative and inclusive approach.
Established in 2021
For over a decade, George resident Carl van Blerk dreamed of starting a food bank for the most vulnerable people in the Garden Route, Klein Karoo and Central Karoo, some of the regions hardest hit by hunger and unemployment in the Western Cape. The cost and resources needed to start one kept it out of reach.
When COVID-19 hit, Carl and the team from the Eden Lions Club, which he founded in 2009, were asked by local government to help provide food to the community. That was the spark that reignited the idea, and in January 2021 the Garden Route Food Pantry officially opened.
By mid-2022 Carl saw a worrying trend: more and more families across the country, including many middle-class households, were struggling to put food on the table. An affordable, convenient, complete meal was needed, and that need sparked the idea for the Food Sock.
With valuable help from Master Chef Francois Ferreira and celebrity chef and entertainer Nataniël, a quality product was developed. Now available in 8 flavours, Food Sock suits everyone: families on a budget, the elderly, students, campers and anyone who wants a quick, satisfying meal.
Carl van Blerk, Founder and MD
Join us on the journey
Whether you’re a customer, a reseller or a partner, you can make a real difference in the fight against food insecurity and unemployment. Together, we can help every household put a complete meal on the table and have the opportunity to thrive.