Dutoit has launched the second year of its Juicy Gems interactive learning campaign, partnering with Tangible Africa to introduce children to coding-style thinking while helping them understand how fruit moves from the orchard to the consumer.
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The campaign is now available at Checkers stores nationwide, with families purchasing selected bags of Dutoit Juicy Gems apples able to scan a QR code on the pack to access a low-data interactive game that works on all smart devices.
The game uses play to introduce children to concepts associated with coding and computational thinking, including recognising patterns, following sequences, solving problems and thinking logically.
Learning through play
The campaign is designed around the idea that children can begin developing future-ready skills without needing expensive equipment, high data usage or complicated technology.
Digital collectable cards incorporated into the game also introduce children to agriculture, covering the journey of fruit from growing and harvesting through to packing, distribution and reaching consumers.
“At Dutoit, innovation has always been part of how we farm, pack, market and distribute quality fresh produce,” says Gysbert du Toit, Commercial Director - Fruit Packing. “But we also believe innovation should create value for the people and communities around us. Through Juicy Gems, we are using something as simple and familiar as a bag of apples to help children engage with coding-style thinking, while also learning more about agriculture and where their food comes from.”
Source: Supplied
Future skills start early
The campaign comes as employers increasingly identify technological literacy, analytical thinking and other skills as important for the future workforce.
According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, employers expect 39% of workers' core skills to change by 2030. AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy are among the fastest-growing skills, while analytical thinking is identified as the most sought-after core skill.
Creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility, and curiosity and lifelong learning are also expected to grow in importance.
For children, these skills can be introduced through activities that involve patterns, sequencing, logic and problem-solving rather than relying exclusively on complex technology.
The Juicy Gems game has been designed around this approach, providing a low-data experience accessible through smart devices.
Building on last year's campaign
The initiative builds on the first Juicy Gems game campaign, which reached 1.3 million people.
Dutoit is expanding the concept this year by linking coding-style play with agriculture education. Through the digital collectable cards, children can learn more about the food journey and the people, processes and systems involved in getting fresh produce from farms to consumers.
“Agriculture is one of South Africa’s most important sectors, but many children are far removed from how food is grown and the work that happens before it reaches a shelf,” says Gysbert. “Through Juicy Gems, we want to spark curiosity about both technology and agriculture. These worlds are more connected than many people realise, and both have an important role to play in the future.”
Tangible Africa partnership
The partnership with Tangible Africa brings a computational-thinking focus to the campaign.
Tangible Africa, a South African initiative, has reportedly taught coding to more than 350,000 learners across 15 countries. Its approach uses simple games to make computational thinking more accessible to children, including those with limited access to resources or internet connectivity.
“Coding-style play helps children practise the kind of thinking that sits behind technology,” says Ryan le Roux, CEO of the Leva Foundation. “It is not only about screens or code. It is about logic, sequencing, pattern recognition, creativity and problem-solving. When children are introduced to these ideas through play, learning becomes far less intimidating and much more accessible.”
Connecting food and technology
The campaign gives parents an opportunity to combine snacking, play and learning, while introducing children to both technology-related thinking and the agricultural processes behind the food they eat.
For Dutoit, the initiative forms part of its broader focus on innovation and its purpose of cultivating wellness through its agricultural activities.
With Juicy Gems, the company is extending that focus beyond fresh produce to education, encouraging children to explore new ideas, build confidence and learn more about the food systems that support everyday life.
For more information, visit Dutoit Juicy Gems.
