Services
Big Five Foods™ is positioned to leverage their expertise in food security and innovation to address the pressing challenges in South Africa and the broader African region.
Big Five Foods' mission is to accelerate food security in Africa, our services incorporate leading practices in research, innovation, and leadership development for local and national food systems.
1. Cost Reduction
Big Five Foods™ establishes direct-to-consumer supply chains by taking the best approach to ensure lean operations, which often reduce food prices through logistics and waste. This involves setting up regional hubs for aggregation, processing, and distribution, focusing on staple crops and fortified products which are already >40% cheaper than market alternatives. At Big Five Foods™ we have introduced mobile marketplaces or digital platforms to connect farmers directly with consumers, reducing transportation costs and spoilage. Additionally, Big Five Foods™ invests in waste-reduction technologies, such as improved packaging or cold storage solutions, to extend shelf life and ensure more food reaches consumers. Dr. Craig Muller’s possesses expertise in supply chain optimisation and innovation, given Big Five Foods’ focus on cost reduction. His skills includes strategic planning to streamline operations, knowledge of food preservation technologies, and the ability to negotiate partnerships within and throughout the supply chain. Dr. Muller has superior experience in data analysis to identify inefficiencies in the supply chain, enabling targeted interventions. Leadership in implementing cost-effective solutions, such as scaling up production of affordable fortified foods, is critical, as would his ability to secure funding or grants to support infrastructure investments. By reducing food prices, this service directly addresses the issue of affordability, a major barrier for the >32% of South Africans who are unemployed and struggle to buy food. Lower costs also make nutritious options more accessible, combating malnutrition among vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women.
2. Supply Chain Management
Building on the "WAVE Network" model, Big Five Foodsâ„¢ helps expand food banks across South Africa and into other African countries, particularly in rural and high-need areas where food availability is low. This involves creating a scalable network of distribution centers equipped with refrigerated trucks to transport perishable goods, ensuring consistent supply even in remote regions. We partner with local NGOs and community organisations to identify and reach vulnerable populations, such as the 160,000 rural individuals served by similar initiatives. Additionally, Big Five Foodsâ„¢ integrates digital tools to map food insecurity hotspots, optimising the placement of food banks and ensuring efficient delivery. Dr. Muller has skills in project management and network development, essential for coordinating large-scale distribution systems. His expertise include logistics planning to ensure timely food delivery, as well as community engagement to build trust and ensure the network meets local needs. Dr. Muller also has experience in fundraising or grant writing to secure resources for expansion, and knowledge of digital tools for mapping and data-driven decision-making. His leadership in fostering partnerships with organisations like the WAVE Church providing strong collaboration and negotiation skills. This service tackles the issue of food availability, particularly in rural areas where >15 million South Africans go to bed hungry. By ensuring consistent access to food, it reduces hunger and supports nutritional health, especially for the 27% of the population affected by malnutrition.
3. Nutritional Enhancement
Big Five Foods™ offers fortified products and collaborates with nutritionists to develop products tailored to specific deficiencies, such as iron or vitamin A, which are prevalent in Africa. Additionally, Big Five Foods™ launch awareness campaigns to educate communities on the benefits of fortified foods, using local languages and media to reach rural areas. Partnerships with schools and clinics help facilitate distribution, ensuring children and pregnant women—groups most affected by malnutrition—have access to these products. Dr. Muller has an extensive background in food science and nutrition, given Big Five Foods’ emphasis on fortified products with >280% better nutritional value. Dr. Craig Muller's skills include product development, allowing him to innovate new fortified foods, and research to ensure these products address specific nutritional gaps. Dr. Muller also has expertise in public health communication to design effective awareness campaigns, as well as collaboration skills to work with schools, clinics, and nutrition experts. His leadership in scaling production while maintaining quality would be crucial. This service directly addresses the inadequate nutritional value of food, a key contributor to malnutrition in millions of South African children. By improving dietary quality, it supports long-term health outcomes and reduces the triple burden of malnutrition—underweight, malnourishment, and overweight—prevalent in the region.
4. Leadership Training
Big Five Foods™ provides comprehensive training program under the "Super-Cube" model, focusing on equipping people and communities with skills in food management, sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship, and leadership. This includes workshops on climate-smart farming techniques, such as drip irrigation or crop rotation, to boost productivity in the face of climate change. Entrepreneurship training helps communities start small food businesses, creating income opportunities, while leadership training could empower locals to manage food banks or distribution hubs. The program also includes youth-focused initiatives, providing skills development and financial support to foster innovation in food systems. Dr. Muller has expertise in education and capacity building, essential for designing and implementing training programs. His skills includes curriculum development, ensuring the program covers relevant topics like sustainability and entrepreneurship, and facilitation to deliver engaging workshops. Dr. Muller also has experience in youth development, given the need to support young leaders, and knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices to teach climate-resilient farming. His leadership in coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives, such as partnering with local governments or NGOs, ensures the program’s success. By building local capacity, this service addresses poverty and unemployment, which affect 27% of South Africans and limit their ability to afford food. Empowering communities to produce and manage their own food resources fosters self-sufficiency and resilience, reducing dependency on external aid.
.jpg)
5. AI & Blockchain Solutions
Big Five Foods™ scales its use of SupplierAdvisor™ blockchain technology to create a transparent food supply chain across Africa. This involves tracking food from the farm to the fork (consumer), ensuring traceability and reducing fraud, such as the growing issue of food adulteration in South Africa. At Big Five Foods™ we develop user-friendly apps for consumers to verify the origin and quality of their food, building trust in the supply chain. Additionally, the blockchain system is used to monitor and reduce waste by identifying bottlenecks, such as delays in transportation or storage issues. Partnerships with regional bodies like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) help facilitate cross-border transparency, enhancing food trade. Dr. Muller has superior skills in technology integration and innovation, given Big Five Foods’ adoption of blockchain. His expertise includes understanding blockchain systems to ensure accurate tracking, as well as data management to analyse supply chain inefficiencies. Dr. Muller also has experience in consumer engagement to design accessible tools like the verification app, and knowledge of regional trade dynamics to leverage AfCFTA. His leadership in driving technological adoption across a complex supply chain would be essential, as would his ability to collaborate with tech developers and policymakers. This service tackles the lack of transparency in supply chains, which fuels hunger while resources are wasted. By reducing fraud and waste, it ensures more food reaches consumers, addressing the paradox of food insecurity amidst sufficient production in many African regions.