SOWETO MUSHROOM FESTIVAL 2012

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

 

MUSHROOMS RAISE IN EXCESS OF R1 000 000 FOR REACH FOR RECOVERY TO ADD SOME REAL MUSCLE TO THE BREAST CANCER FIGHT

Mushrooms in South Africa first turned pink on supermarket shelves in October 2010 when SAMFA joined forces with Pick ‘n Pay and Yucca Packaging to help raise national awareness of breast cancer during October’s Breast Cancer awareness month. In total over the past 36 months, mushrooms have raised over R1 000 000.00 for breast cancer support group Reach for Recovery. (R232 524.00 in 2010; R380 620.00 in 2011 and R570 668.00 in 2012)

SAMFA’s motivation to support Breast Cancer month stems from the many international research studies which continue to support the positive link between mushroom consumption and the reduction of breast cancer. It is also an initiative that is supported by Mushroom councils around the globe as more and more breast cancer research studies become available.

“It is an extraordinary industry achievement,” says SAMFA’s, chairperson Ross Richardson, “and we are immensely proud of the efforts our members made to make this initiative the success that it is. We can proudly say that the mushroom industry is making a real difference to the well-being of breast cancer survivors.”

But the beauty of SAMFA’s involvement in the breast cancer fundraising initiative does not only benefit those who have been affected by cancer. It actually creates an awareness of the disease protective qualities of mushrooms.  Research has shown that women who eat an average of 1 mushroom per day (around 10g) have half the risk of breast cancer.

“Our awareness campaign has become so much more than fighting the disease; mushrooms offer active protection against the disease and we are looking forward to expanding this SAMFA initiative to an even broader audience during 2013.” concludes Richardson.

So watch this space…. Mushrooms will go even bigger in 2013 with their Pink Punnet drive!