Grow Fresh Produce Agents – Newsletter 5 (2025)

Aug 1

3 min read

Hello Grow Team!

From celebrating our top-performing farmers to feeding communities on Mandela Day, we’ve seen our values in action, especially our commitment to people. Across the country, our farmers continue to nourish South Africa, and we’re proud to walk this journey with them.

There is one public holiday in the month of August - Women's Day on 9 August. Make sure to familiarise yourself with the market operating times and communicate it to your producers and buyers.

Company Updates & Announcements

🕊️ Mandela Day reminded us what it means to serve with heart. Across Grow, teams rolled up their sleeves and gave back in small but powerful ways.

At Marco Veg, the team turned an ordinary morning into something special, serving warm porridge to every customer and filling the air with lekker music. It was a beautiful reminder that food nourishes more than just the body.

Meanwhile, the BothaRoodt potato team brought smiles and sustenance to a primary school in Soweto, donating bags of fresh potatoes to help feed the learners with delicious kotas. It was more than a donation, it was a moment of care, of seeing and supporting the future of our country.

We’re proud to see our values alive in moments like these.

Team Achievements & Milestones

🫑 Record Month for Port Natal Veg!

A big shout-out to Wian Jacobs and the Port Natal Veg team for achieving a record-breaking month in July. Your consistent growth and service don’t go unnoticed. Well done!

🏆 Top Producers Honoured

Our agents visited Inyoni, who were named the top Grow and BothaRoodt farmer for the 2024–2025 financial year. A trophy well deserved! Check out some snapshots of all these farmer visits thusfar!

From the top left corner: Inyoni (Grow and BothaRoodt Top Producer); Eldorado Farms (Noordvaal Top 10 Producer); Sandquest Farming (Noordvaal Top 10 Producer); Van Staden Qualygrow (Marco Top 10 Producer); York Boerdery (Green Network Top 10 Producer); Alcari Farms (Noordvaal Top 10 Producer); & Rosaly Farms (Noordvaal Top 10 Producer).

Events & Activities

🥔 Potatoes SA Innovation Symposium

Deon and PJ represented Grow at this forward-thinking event, where the spotlight was on how potatoes can drive progress in South African agriculture. The symposium explored game-changing topics like innovation in infrastructure, managing production risk, and unlocking value through technology.

🍋🍋 IFPA Southern Africa Conference

Anja and Adrihan joined industry leaders to explore the future of fresh produce exports—from shipping routes to cold chain management and global market opportunities. The newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, delivered the keynote, offering a clear-eyed view of both the challenges and exciting possibilities for the sector.

🍉🥝 Opening the Market to the Next Generation

We proudly hosted Potato Industry Development Trust bursary students as well as the Westfalia Fruit team, joined by their partners, Rakwadu CPA, from Tzaneen at the market. These sessions included detailed walkabouts, insights into the daily rhythm of trade, honest conversations about how the market system works and why it matters.

These visits aren’t just tours; they’re part of our mission to demystify the market and inspire more people to trust in its power.

👉 If you know farmers, buyers, or young professionals who’d benefit from a similar session, contact Anja or PJ to arrange a personalised experience.

📆 Upcoming Producer & Industry Days:

7 August: Tom Burke Potatoes SA Potato Day
13-14 August: Allesbeste Symposium
22-23 August: Vivo Boerebemarkingsdag
15 October: Grow Producer Day - Brits
28-29 October: Potatoes SA Transformation Symposium (Polokwane)
29-31 October: Langkloof Bloeiselfees
5 November: Subtrop Marketing Symposium
15 November: Grow Year End for all Commission Earners and Management
22 November: Grow Year End for all Wage and Salary Earners

Birthdays & Celebrations

🎂 August Birthdays – Happy birthday to all our team members celebrating this month! Wishing you a fantastic year ahead!

1 August: Chane Russouw (Green Network Office)
4 August: Willem Buys (BothaRoodt Fruit)
9 August: Willem Kilian (Green Network Potatoes)
12 August: Paul Botha (Grow Management)
20 August: Linda Botha (Marco Fruit)
29 August: Adrihan Kruger (Marco Kruger)

Stay Connected & Social Media

📲Follow us for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and team celebrations! Find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok – check out our latest posts!