Where Hope Is Always on the Menu

Five years on from COVID-19 lockdowns, we’ve had plenty of time to reflect on those unprecedented days. But amid all the challenges, did we overlook the silver linings that came with the pause. Like the story of Den Anker and their mission to show up for communities in need.

It started with a very real crisis. Lockdown heightened the food insecurity faced by many South Africans. What could a restaurant, forced to shut its doors to paying customers, do? Looking at Rejeanne Vlietman (General Manager of Den Anker, a Belgian restaurant located in the heart of the V&A) and her team, there’s a great deal that we each can do to make a meaningful difference.

Through it’s own business, and it’s sister-business (a beer distributor), they had access to a wide network of warehouses, suppliers, vehicles and more. Add in a passion for feeding people and hard-earned culinary knowledge, and you have the recipe for a way to turn crisis into compassion.

Leveraging this network, the Den Anker team was able to create and connect a web of 12 community kitchens. In the face of the difficulties of lockdown, Den Anker’s passionate staff helped hundreds of people stay fed. But why stop there? Hunger is an issue affecting many Capetonians. So, Rejeanne and the team have continued with this initiative.

To date, they have served over 250,000 means to communities across the city. They continue to use the system to collect, sort and deliver weekly donations to 12 community kitchens. Each donation is tailored to the unique needs of the community it feeds. For example, a sports club receives bread and peanut butter, while a feeding scheme gets nutritious vegetables. “It’s about redirecting food that’s fit for human consumption. Good food that would have gone to waste,” explains Rejeanne. Den Anker has partnered with other V&A Waterfront eateries in saving food from landfills.

This ongoing commitment is a large part of why the restaurant won the Social Impact Award at the 2024 V&A Neighbourhood Awards. This neighbourliness is also testament to Den Anker’s success. The restaurant just celebrated 30 years at the V&A Waterfront, with a special Anniversary Winter Menu as part of The NeighbourFOOD Experience. Diners can enjoy a selected meal for 2 for only R300 until 31 August.

As a neighbourhood, Den Anker’s dedication to this cause inspired us. That’s why we donated over R30 000 to one of the community kitchens in need of repairs. The newly renovated kitchen was launched with food and festivities.

Do you feel inspired to contribute to community need in your own way?  CLICK HERE to access the V&A’s Do Good Guide, the easiest way to make a difference.