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Commercial food gardens and city farms<h2 class="sectHeading">​Commercial farming within Cape Town</h2><p>​Most of our farms service communities and provide subsistence to surrounding families and neighbourhood groups. Others, run by or supported by the City are intended to help provide fresh food, jobs and skills to poorer members of our society. Any money made from them goes back into the farm or provides income to those working the land. <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Food%20gardens">See a list of City-supported food gardens</a>. </p><p>We do encourage small-scale farmers to turn their gardens into businesses, but there is no single way to have your business plan approved. It all depends on where you are farming and how you want to farm. Please see below for more details. The valleys and land outside of the city are more suitable for farming and are zoned for commercial farming businesses and agriculture.</p><p><strong>Philippi Horticultural Area</strong><br>Cape Town does have one area in its boundaries that services both subsistence farming, community farming projects, and commercial farming. It is known as the Philippi Horticultural Area. The area is in flux, however, and there may not be room for future ventures. Alternative commercial farming ventures would include micro-farms or food gardens on land that could be zoned or used for agriculture within the city. This land could be private or could belong to the City or to the <a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/" target="_blank">Western Cape Government<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>.</p><p>See the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/HAP16_PhilippiHeritage.pdf" target="_blank">Philippi Heritage Information Pamphlet</a> to find out more about the Philippi Horticultural Area.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy light-blue bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info fastfact"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Fast fact</h4><p>The Oranjezicht City Farm is a non-profit community farm on the slopes of Table Mountain. The land had once been the historic ‘Oranje Zigt’ farm and had a history of agriculture. The founders of the farm have leased the land from Western Cape Heritage. Find out more about this farm on their<a href="https://www.ozcf.co.za/" target="_blank"> website<i class="icon link-external"></i>​​</a>.</p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">Urban farming rights and applications</h2><p>If you are interested in creating an urban food garden for business purposes (either production or production and sales) in Cape Town, you will need to ensure you follow the correct application process. Depending on the nature and position of your intended farm or commercial garden, the application process and criteria will vary. </p><p>Please also note that, if you are given the rights to use a piece of land for commercial agricultural purposes, you will still need to make sure you have complied with all trading and health and safety regulations. We recommend first identifying the land you would like to use and then following the correct procedure to secure <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/Planning-portal/Applications-and-submissions/Land-use-management-application-documents">land use rights</a>, if they apply. </p><p> In terms of business and trading licenses, please <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Business-and-trade/Apply-for-a-business-licence">visit City Connect</a> for correct steps on how to set up your business. </p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info remember"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Remember</h4><p>If you are producing and selling food or produce, you will also need to meet our health and safety standards. </p></div></div><p> <b>We monitor the quality and safety of food products supplied by formal or informal businesses in the following ways: </b></p><ul><li>Licensing and certification </li><li>Milk safety controls </li><li>Inspections and food sampling </li><li>Investigating reports of food poisoning </li><li>Investigating other complaints and concerns related to food services and food products</li></ul><p>To find out more about the above inspections and/or request an environmental health inspection, please follow <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Request-a-service/Request-an-inspection/Request-an-environmental-health-inspection">our guide on City Connect</a>. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">City support for small-scale farmers</h2><p>We provide assistance to small-scale farmers and gardening projects, but only if they support the poorest of poor communities. Qualifying community members can approach the Urban Agriculture Support Unit for help. </p><p>Depending on what a farmer needs, the unit is able to offer advice and assistance with access to land; seeds, compost and water; infrastructure such as fencing, containers and irrigation supply; tools such as rakes, spades and water pumps; and skills training. </p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>Before we can help you, you must have paid your water bill in full.</p></div></div> ​​​ <h2 class="sectHeading">​Contact us</h2><h4>Urban Agricultural Support Unit​</h4><div class="contact"> <em> <ul><li>Telephone:<br><a>021 550 1100</a></li><li>Email:<br><a href="mailto:stanley.visser@capetown.gov.za">stanley.visser@capetown.gov.za</a></li></ul></em> </div>GP0|#2af22d7d-7f1b-41dd-bfc5-5ecd0d23222b;L0|#02af22d7d-7f1b-41dd-bfc5-5ecd0d23222b|Commercial food gardens and city farms;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#630f1ce3-4d76-4447-85fb-0afef5f00698;GPP|#39d66b11-2134-4df5-8360-0bc5e66e8f4f;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711;GP0|#ccc32dc1-7662-46f8-9da3-2b17c53aa511;L0|#0ccc32dc1-7662-46f8-9da3-2b17c53aa511|Commercial food gardens and city farms;GPP|#ad6fe10c-0568-48ce-aae2-b58e1ca7d8a5;GPP|#4a553a67-2cba-4911-9745-a724e38b645a;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752An overview of commercial food gardens in Cape Town, and how to start your own.

 

 

Heritage Advice Pamphlet 16: Philippi Heritage2641397GP0|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033|Pamphlet;GTSet|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e2007-02-28T22:00:00Z

 

 

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