Urban Food Security

Abstract

Urban food security has received little research or policy attention in the South African context. However, there is now considerable evidence of high levels of food insecurity amongst poor urban populations. This chapter provides an overview of the existing research on the extent, nature and drivers of food insecurity in South African cities. Through a discussion of the four pillars of food security: Availability, Accessibility, Utilization and Stability, the chapter then considers how food system and urban systems intersect, the chapter concludes by engaging questions of current and potential policy and planning interventions to alleviate food insecurity.