Rising food prices and household food security

Rising food prices and household food security

Author(s): Faber, M and Drimie, S.
Link to CST author(s):
Publication: South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition Editorial
Year: 2016
Full reference: Faber, M and Drimie, S. 2016. Rising food prices and household food security. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition Editorial 29(2):53-54
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sajcn/article/viewFile/139751/129461

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Summary

For many South Africans a healthy, balanced diet is elusive. Food security in both urban and rural South Africa is heavily dependent on cash incomes for household purchase of food for consumption,1 which, in a context of high unemployment, is largely reliant on social grants.2 This safety net does not reach all those eligible for such grants including those defined as “seriously hungry”.3 Rising food prices can exacerbate poverty, inequality and food insecurity when the poor are net food consumers (consume more than they produce),4 which is the case for the majority of South Africans.