establishments and incidence of the relevant health conditions such as childhood obesity. Results... more establishments and incidence of the relevant health conditions such as childhood obesity. Results Our preliminary results show the planning guidance significantly reduced the proportion of takeaways compared to all other types of food outlets (p-value: 0.000). However, there was no statistically significant reduction in takeaways. Conclusion This study provides preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of policy to manage the food environment. Our next step will be to explore how changes to the food environment impact on health outcomes and inequalities.
Communities of Practice are sites of social learning for the co-production of knowledge. Building... more Communities of Practice are sites of social learning for the co-production of knowledge. Building on recent literature on Transdisciplinary Communities of Practice, this article reflects on the experiences of an emergent 'Food Governance Community of Practice' in South Africa that brings together multiple stakeholders to co-produce knowledge to inform local food policy and governance. Our results show the following lessons for managers and participants engaged in establishing similar 'third spaces' for knowledge co-production: 1) make inevitable power asymmetries explicit; 2) the identity of the group should not be built on a particular normative position but emerge from discursive processes and 3) create a balance between supporting peripheral learning and maintaining the specialist cutting edge discussions needed for co-production. Furthermore, the most beneficial legacy of a Community of Practice may not be the outputs in terms of the co-produced knowledge but the development of a cohesive group of stakeholders with a new shared way of knowing.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) share high burdens of nutrition-related conditions, includi... more Small Island Developing States (SIDS) share high burdens of nutrition-related conditions, including non-communicable diseases, associated with an increasing reliance on imported, processed foods. Improving health through increasing the production and consumption of local, nutritious foods is a policy objective of many SIDS governments. This study aimed to understand contemporary challenges and opportunities to strengthening local food systems in two case study settings, Fiji and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Fifty-two in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders involved in local food production. Interviews were analysed by both country teams using thematic analysis. Local food production networks in both settings included formal governance bodies as well as more informal connections through civil society and communities. Their main function was the sharing of resources and knowledge, but levels of trust and cooperation between the stakeholders varied ...
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have high burdens of nutrition-related chronic diseases. Th... more Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have high burdens of nutrition-related chronic diseases. This has been associated with lack of access to adequate and affordable nutritious foods and increasing reliance on imported foods. Our aim in this study was to investigate dietary patterns and food insecurity and assess their associations with socio-demographic characteristics and food sources. We recruited individuals aged 15 years and above from rural and urban areas in Fiji (n = 186) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) (n = 147). Data collection included a 24 h diet recall, food source questionnaire and the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. We conducted latent class analysis to identify dietary patterns, and multivariable regression to investigate independent associations with dietary patterns. Three dietary patterns were identified: (1) low pulses, and milk and milk products, (2) intermediate pulses, and milk and milk products and (3) most diverse. In both SIDS, dietary pattern 3...
Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice
Background: Post-positivist critics of the linear-rational understanding of the role of knowledge... more Background: Post-positivist critics of the linear-rational understanding of the role of knowledge in decision making have long argued the need for the construction of socially robust knowledge to illuminate policy problems from a variety of perspectives, including lived experiences.Aims and objectives: This article charts the attempts of researchers to employ a creative method, digital storytelling, alongside more traditional scientific data in stakeholder deliberations to inform local food governance in South Africa.Methods: Four storytellers from a marginalised group created and introduced their digital story about a ‘time when they had to make a difficult choice about what food to purchase or get’ to a public governance forum and the reactions of the audience self-reported.Findings: The digital stories were emotionally compelling and gave granular detail to the more top-down perspective of the scientific data. There were concerns, however, for the welfare of the storytellers when...
The township cash economy of fast food, takeaways, and prepared meals is collectively termed 'inf... more The township cash economy of fast food, takeaways, and prepared meals is collectively termed 'informal foodservice'. An analysis of a five-township ∼3800 microenterprise census, and qualitative supply chain investigation of 50 informal foodservice retailers and 75 consumers revealed a well-established although deeply informal trade predominated by women preparing takeaway foods and conducting street braai (BBQ). The business demonstrates high dependence on the immediate place of operations which includes local input suppliers and selling to a narrow pool of trade from immediate (walking scale) neighbourhoods. Supply chains are short, linked to formal agriculture and wholesale sectors. Informal foodservice is heavily utilised by local residents on a regular basis who spend up to R218 per week on products (potentially 30% of income) from these outlets. These enterprises make a substantial contribution towards satisfying local food demand whilst serving an important social protection and neighbourhood relationship function.
Food insecurity should be understood as being shaped by the food system, and other systems. L... more Food insecurity should be understood as being shaped by the food system, and other systems. Local government, working under its existing mandate, plays a fundamental role in shaping the urban food system, its interdependencies with other systems and the food environment that city dwellers encounter, affecting availability, accessibility, utilization and stability. There is therefore a considerable role for local government, under its existing mandate, to address food insecurity. 1.1 Introduction 'Suppose I told you that New York City had the opportunity to create thousands of new jobsbut we just weren't doing it. You'd probably be pretty upset. Now suppose I went on to say that we've actually had that opportunity for years, we just weren't paying close enough attention. I bet you'd all have some choice of words for methe kind that shouldn't be repeated in polite company. Alright, now suppose I told you that by taking steps to create those jobs, we could also improve public health and reduce our energy consumption. We could fight childhood obesity and asthma. We could keep millions of dollars in the local economy, instead of sending those dollars across the country or around the world. But we still weren't doing it. Well, the fact is, we have been ignoring those exact opportunities. For years, we've been missing a chance to create a greener, healthier, and more economically vibrant city. How? By ignoring the enormous potential of our city's food system.' (Quinn 2009) The South African Cities Network (SACN) commissioned a study of current and future realities to urban food security in South Africa in order to assist cities in planning and policy development. This study therefore provides analysis of available data on the extent, characteristics and future trajectories of urban food insecurity and the food system in South Africa, in order to generate policy recommendations that are appropriate to the urban context. Food insecurity has historically been considered to be a problem experienced mainly in rural areas. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that there is substantial food insecurity in South Africa's cities and towns. Current national food security strategies and programmes focus primarily on rural areas and local government has no formal mandate to address food insecurity. However, in South Africa, the Right to Food and Nutrition are enshrined within the Constitution in Sections 27.1.b and 28.1c. It is therefore essential that the state and by extension, local government, work towards the realization of these rights. Highlights National policies and strategies frame the ways in which provincial and local governments engage the challenge of food insecurity. These national policies and strategies neglect the urban, and focus on production-based or safety net-based solutions, with some focus on addressing food choice. A review of SACN member cities' IDPs and other strategic documents found that the promotion of urban agriculture and the provision of social safety nets are the main local government responses. There are however, a number of innovative approaches evident. Most of these are still in the planning or early implementation phase. A review of constitutional mandates reveals a far broader set of responsibilities regarding the food system. The challenges of food security and the urban food system cannot be addressed by local government alone. It is therefore essential to engage a range of stakeholders. A model for stakeholder engagement is suggested, and an ongoing role of the SACN is identified.
South Africa's towns and cities experience high levels of food insecurity. i Although municipalit... more South Africa's towns and cities experience high levels of food insecurity. i Although municipalities have no direct mandate to address food insecurity, many municipalities have attempted to alleviate food insecurity. These efforts have generally focused on the promotion of urban agriculture. However, the vast majority of urban residents obtain the vast majority of their food via market sources, formal and informal. This policy brief argues that the informal food retail sector is an important contributor to the food security of the urban poor, and therefore requires greater policy attention.
The availability and accessibility of food is constrained by the environments where people live, ... more The availability and accessibility of food is constrained by the environments where people live, work and purchase goods, and the pathways which they use to traverse these. This recognition has given rise to innovative conceptual frameworks including “food environments” and “food deserts”. These concepts add a spatial dimension to food security research that could inform food systems governance. Although the concepts have expanded the understanding of food security in the global North, their application to the South African context, and to value chains analysis, is still in its infancy. This paper introduces these frameworks and considers their utility in South African cities. The paper presents recent data emerging from case studies of local food geographies conducted by the African Food Security Urban Network (AFSUN). This research proceeded from recognising the importance of informal retail in South African urban food systems. The case studies mapped formal sector food retail out...
This study described food security status and explored coping mechanisms of students at times of ... more This study described food security status and explored coping mechanisms of students at times of food insecurity at the University of the Witwatersrand. The sample consisted of 387 undergraduate students from all faculties and a subsample of 30 students who received financial aid. The 30 subsample students were also assessed regarding their coping strategies. Action research approaches included key indicators such as the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), and the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS). The HFIAS score showed that 1% of students was severely food insecure and 6% were identified as moderately food insecure. The DDS score amongst the sample was seven out of a possible 12 points. African male students originating from townships who were on financial aid and did not eat in university dining halls were the most vulnerable group to food insecurity. Almost all (97%) participants believed hunger could impact negatively on academic performance and 52% reported having pers...
The South African population faces many of the global concerns relating to micronutrient deficien... more The South African population faces many of the global concerns relating to micronutrient deficiency and the impact this has on health and well-being. Moreover, there is a high prevalence of HIV infection, compounded by a high level of co-infection with TB. This pilot study evaluates the impact of a fortified supplementary food on the health and well-being of a cohort of crèche children, aged 3 to 6, and adult TB patients drawn from the Presidential Node of Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa. A further aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and validity of non-invasive indicators of nutritional status in a field-based population sample. The investigational product, e’Pap, is supported by extensive anecdotal evidence that whole grain cereals with food-style nutrients constitute an effective supplementary food for those suffering from the effects of food insecurity, poor health and well-being, and coping with TB and HIV infection. The results indicate a beneficial effect...
for its financial support of the African Food Security Urban Network (AFSUN) through the UPCD Tie... more for its financial support of the African Food Security Urban Network (AFSUN) through the UPCD Tier One program.
establishments and incidence of the relevant health conditions such as childhood obesity. Results... more establishments and incidence of the relevant health conditions such as childhood obesity. Results Our preliminary results show the planning guidance significantly reduced the proportion of takeaways compared to all other types of food outlets (p-value: 0.000). However, there was no statistically significant reduction in takeaways. Conclusion This study provides preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of policy to manage the food environment. Our next step will be to explore how changes to the food environment impact on health outcomes and inequalities.
Communities of Practice are sites of social learning for the co-production of knowledge. Building... more Communities of Practice are sites of social learning for the co-production of knowledge. Building on recent literature on Transdisciplinary Communities of Practice, this article reflects on the experiences of an emergent 'Food Governance Community of Practice' in South Africa that brings together multiple stakeholders to co-produce knowledge to inform local food policy and governance. Our results show the following lessons for managers and participants engaged in establishing similar 'third spaces' for knowledge co-production: 1) make inevitable power asymmetries explicit; 2) the identity of the group should not be built on a particular normative position but emerge from discursive processes and 3) create a balance between supporting peripheral learning and maintaining the specialist cutting edge discussions needed for co-production. Furthermore, the most beneficial legacy of a Community of Practice may not be the outputs in terms of the co-produced knowledge but the development of a cohesive group of stakeholders with a new shared way of knowing.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) share high burdens of nutrition-related conditions, includi... more Small Island Developing States (SIDS) share high burdens of nutrition-related conditions, including non-communicable diseases, associated with an increasing reliance on imported, processed foods. Improving health through increasing the production and consumption of local, nutritious foods is a policy objective of many SIDS governments. This study aimed to understand contemporary challenges and opportunities to strengthening local food systems in two case study settings, Fiji and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Fifty-two in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders involved in local food production. Interviews were analysed by both country teams using thematic analysis. Local food production networks in both settings included formal governance bodies as well as more informal connections through civil society and communities. Their main function was the sharing of resources and knowledge, but levels of trust and cooperation between the stakeholders varied ...
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have high burdens of nutrition-related chronic diseases. Th... more Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have high burdens of nutrition-related chronic diseases. This has been associated with lack of access to adequate and affordable nutritious foods and increasing reliance on imported foods. Our aim in this study was to investigate dietary patterns and food insecurity and assess their associations with socio-demographic characteristics and food sources. We recruited individuals aged 15 years and above from rural and urban areas in Fiji (n = 186) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) (n = 147). Data collection included a 24 h diet recall, food source questionnaire and the Food Insecurity Experience Scale. We conducted latent class analysis to identify dietary patterns, and multivariable regression to investigate independent associations with dietary patterns. Three dietary patterns were identified: (1) low pulses, and milk and milk products, (2) intermediate pulses, and milk and milk products and (3) most diverse. In both SIDS, dietary pattern 3...
Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice
Background: Post-positivist critics of the linear-rational understanding of the role of knowledge... more Background: Post-positivist critics of the linear-rational understanding of the role of knowledge in decision making have long argued the need for the construction of socially robust knowledge to illuminate policy problems from a variety of perspectives, including lived experiences.Aims and objectives: This article charts the attempts of researchers to employ a creative method, digital storytelling, alongside more traditional scientific data in stakeholder deliberations to inform local food governance in South Africa.Methods: Four storytellers from a marginalised group created and introduced their digital story about a ‘time when they had to make a difficult choice about what food to purchase or get’ to a public governance forum and the reactions of the audience self-reported.Findings: The digital stories were emotionally compelling and gave granular detail to the more top-down perspective of the scientific data. There were concerns, however, for the welfare of the storytellers when...
The township cash economy of fast food, takeaways, and prepared meals is collectively termed 'inf... more The township cash economy of fast food, takeaways, and prepared meals is collectively termed 'informal foodservice'. An analysis of a five-township ∼3800 microenterprise census, and qualitative supply chain investigation of 50 informal foodservice retailers and 75 consumers revealed a well-established although deeply informal trade predominated by women preparing takeaway foods and conducting street braai (BBQ). The business demonstrates high dependence on the immediate place of operations which includes local input suppliers and selling to a narrow pool of trade from immediate (walking scale) neighbourhoods. Supply chains are short, linked to formal agriculture and wholesale sectors. Informal foodservice is heavily utilised by local residents on a regular basis who spend up to R218 per week on products (potentially 30% of income) from these outlets. These enterprises make a substantial contribution towards satisfying local food demand whilst serving an important social protection and neighbourhood relationship function.
Food insecurity should be understood as being shaped by the food system, and other systems. L... more Food insecurity should be understood as being shaped by the food system, and other systems. Local government, working under its existing mandate, plays a fundamental role in shaping the urban food system, its interdependencies with other systems and the food environment that city dwellers encounter, affecting availability, accessibility, utilization and stability. There is therefore a considerable role for local government, under its existing mandate, to address food insecurity. 1.1 Introduction 'Suppose I told you that New York City had the opportunity to create thousands of new jobsbut we just weren't doing it. You'd probably be pretty upset. Now suppose I went on to say that we've actually had that opportunity for years, we just weren't paying close enough attention. I bet you'd all have some choice of words for methe kind that shouldn't be repeated in polite company. Alright, now suppose I told you that by taking steps to create those jobs, we could also improve public health and reduce our energy consumption. We could fight childhood obesity and asthma. We could keep millions of dollars in the local economy, instead of sending those dollars across the country or around the world. But we still weren't doing it. Well, the fact is, we have been ignoring those exact opportunities. For years, we've been missing a chance to create a greener, healthier, and more economically vibrant city. How? By ignoring the enormous potential of our city's food system.' (Quinn 2009) The South African Cities Network (SACN) commissioned a study of current and future realities to urban food security in South Africa in order to assist cities in planning and policy development. This study therefore provides analysis of available data on the extent, characteristics and future trajectories of urban food insecurity and the food system in South Africa, in order to generate policy recommendations that are appropriate to the urban context. Food insecurity has historically been considered to be a problem experienced mainly in rural areas. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that there is substantial food insecurity in South Africa's cities and towns. Current national food security strategies and programmes focus primarily on rural areas and local government has no formal mandate to address food insecurity. However, in South Africa, the Right to Food and Nutrition are enshrined within the Constitution in Sections 27.1.b and 28.1c. It is therefore essential that the state and by extension, local government, work towards the realization of these rights. Highlights National policies and strategies frame the ways in which provincial and local governments engage the challenge of food insecurity. These national policies and strategies neglect the urban, and focus on production-based or safety net-based solutions, with some focus on addressing food choice. A review of SACN member cities' IDPs and other strategic documents found that the promotion of urban agriculture and the provision of social safety nets are the main local government responses. There are however, a number of innovative approaches evident. Most of these are still in the planning or early implementation phase. A review of constitutional mandates reveals a far broader set of responsibilities regarding the food system. The challenges of food security and the urban food system cannot be addressed by local government alone. It is therefore essential to engage a range of stakeholders. A model for stakeholder engagement is suggested, and an ongoing role of the SACN is identified.
South Africa's towns and cities experience high levels of food insecurity. i Although municipalit... more South Africa's towns and cities experience high levels of food insecurity. i Although municipalities have no direct mandate to address food insecurity, many municipalities have attempted to alleviate food insecurity. These efforts have generally focused on the promotion of urban agriculture. However, the vast majority of urban residents obtain the vast majority of their food via market sources, formal and informal. This policy brief argues that the informal food retail sector is an important contributor to the food security of the urban poor, and therefore requires greater policy attention.
The availability and accessibility of food is constrained by the environments where people live, ... more The availability and accessibility of food is constrained by the environments where people live, work and purchase goods, and the pathways which they use to traverse these. This recognition has given rise to innovative conceptual frameworks including “food environments” and “food deserts”. These concepts add a spatial dimension to food security research that could inform food systems governance. Although the concepts have expanded the understanding of food security in the global North, their application to the South African context, and to value chains analysis, is still in its infancy. This paper introduces these frameworks and considers their utility in South African cities. The paper presents recent data emerging from case studies of local food geographies conducted by the African Food Security Urban Network (AFSUN). This research proceeded from recognising the importance of informal retail in South African urban food systems. The case studies mapped formal sector food retail out...
This study described food security status and explored coping mechanisms of students at times of ... more This study described food security status and explored coping mechanisms of students at times of food insecurity at the University of the Witwatersrand. The sample consisted of 387 undergraduate students from all faculties and a subsample of 30 students who received financial aid. The 30 subsample students were also assessed regarding their coping strategies. Action research approaches included key indicators such as the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), and the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS). The HFIAS score showed that 1% of students was severely food insecure and 6% were identified as moderately food insecure. The DDS score amongst the sample was seven out of a possible 12 points. African male students originating from townships who were on financial aid and did not eat in university dining halls were the most vulnerable group to food insecurity. Almost all (97%) participants believed hunger could impact negatively on academic performance and 52% reported having pers...
The South African population faces many of the global concerns relating to micronutrient deficien... more The South African population faces many of the global concerns relating to micronutrient deficiency and the impact this has on health and well-being. Moreover, there is a high prevalence of HIV infection, compounded by a high level of co-infection with TB. This pilot study evaluates the impact of a fortified supplementary food on the health and well-being of a cohort of crèche children, aged 3 to 6, and adult TB patients drawn from the Presidential Node of Alexandra, Johannesburg, South Africa. A further aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and validity of non-invasive indicators of nutritional status in a field-based population sample. The investigational product, e’Pap, is supported by extensive anecdotal evidence that whole grain cereals with food-style nutrients constitute an effective supplementary food for those suffering from the effects of food insecurity, poor health and well-being, and coping with TB and HIV infection. The results indicate a beneficial effect...
for its financial support of the African Food Security Urban Network (AFSUN) through the UPCD Tie... more for its financial support of the African Food Security Urban Network (AFSUN) through the UPCD Tier One program.
Uploads
Papers by Florian Kroll