Become a supplier in the food lovers’ market

Becoming a supplier to a large retailer is a great idea for entrepreneurs. This allows you to increase your income and reach a much larger audience. Most food retailers have vendor programs you can apply for. One such program is the Seeds of Change in the Food Lovers Market Supplier Development Partnership.

The Seeds of Change Supplier Development Partnership was launched in 2021 and aims to find local suppliers (especially small businesses) that have integrated social change into their operations.

Food Lover’s Market opens applications for its vendor program each year at the end of the first quarter. If you have a product (mostly food), you can apply for this program and eventually become a Food Lover’s Market supplier.

In this article, we’ll tell you what you need to join the Seeds of Change Supplier Development Partnership.

What is the Seeds of Change program?

The Seeds of Change Supplier Development Partnership is a program that seeks and develops suppliers that reflect socially and environmentally responsible values. Suppliers must also be motivated to provide high quality services or products.

The program is supported by the Academy of Social Entrepreneurship, which specializes in training and development. Since its launch in 2021, the program has received more than 1,200 applications, according to the Food Lover’s Market website.

What do you need to claim the seeds of change?

To qualify for the Food Lover’s Seeds of Change program, you must meet the criteria set by your food retailer. Requirements include:

• Your business must operate for one year (12 months).
• Your business must be financially stable.
• You must have a business plan that demonstrates successful implementation.

Food Lover’s Market also requires businesses wishing to apply to demonstrate that they are making a positive impact in their communities. Additionally, these businesses need to add value to their shopping experience at Food Lover’s Market.

Businesses encouraged to apply include:

• Small farmers.
• Freight business.
• Commercial services.
• Produced by product manufacturers.
• Bakery enterprises.
• Liquor business.

If your business meets these requirements, you can begin preparing to apply to become a vendor on Food Lover’s Market.

How does the Seeds of Change program work?

As mentioned above, application dates for the program open each year. Before candidates are selected, everyone is invited to a webinar that serves as the program’s information session.

Once all applications have been submitted, the Food Lover’s Market team will shortlist candidates based on the criteria. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a two-day webinar that will provide insight into what makes a business successful. The webinar consists of:

• Hear from Food Lover’s Market shoppers, industry experts and some of the program’s alumni.
• The webinar covers topics such as finance, marketing, business planning and business models.
• Group work with participants.
• How Food Lover’s Market can improve your business.
• Share valuable information with those shortlisted as well as other candidates.

After the webinar, shortlisted candidates are given tasks that you will need to complete. If you do the job well, you will be among the top 10 candidates.

Once the top 10 candidates are announced, these top 10 candidates will be invited to a 5-day boot camp in Cape Town. The boot camp includes the following:

• Sessions with buyers.
• Meetings with Food Lover’s Market marketing teams.
• Gain insight into current retail trends.
• An insightful conversation with the CEO of Food Lover’s Market.
• The final day of presentation, during which you will present your business to a group of Food Lover’s Market executives.

The winners of the program will be announced on the final day of the boot camp. The winner will be listed as a Food Lover’s Market supplier. The winners take first, second and third places.

If you emerge as a winner after the training course, you will join a long list of previous contenders such as Setšong African Tea Crafters and Eddie’s Eggs, who are currently suppliers to several Food Lover’s Market stores.

If you want to become a Food Lover’s Market vendor, you’ll need to keep an eye on when applications open for the Seeds of Change program. Of course, there are other supplier programs in South Africa such as Shoprite and Pick n Pay that you can apply for.

Choose the right supplier program that best suits your business, or apply it to all of them to increase your sales, revenue and reach.

For more information on how to get your product or service onto the shelves of major retailers, explore our extensive range of articles today! If you need help with your business, visit SME Advice to speak to one of our experts.