Effects of rising food prices on household food security on femaleheaded households in Runnymede Village, Mopani District, South Africa

Abstract

Original Research: Effects of rising food prices on household food security on femaleheaded households 2016;29(2) S Afr J Clin Nutr 6 Increased food insecurity and malnutrition may result, with tragic implications in the short and longterm, particularly for children, the aged, and other vulnerable members of society. In certain cases, the most adversely affected are the chronically urban and rural poor, the landless and femaleheaded households. 7 The ability of poor households to meet other important non-food expenses, such as education and health care, are limited by rising food prices. 8In Limpopo province, femaleheaded households spend an average of 53% of their total household income on food. 9 This confirms that poorer households, which are usually food insecure, spend a large fraction of their income on food. 9 The headline Consumer Price Index annual inflation rate in January 2013 was 5.4%. This rate was 0.3 of AbstractBackground: Rising food prices can have a devastating effect on the health of poor households by making it more difficult for them to afford basic food baskets. Although South Africa is food secure as a nation, it does not mean that every household is able to access nutritionally adequate food.

Rising food prices and household food security

“…In this issue of the SAJCN, Mkhawani et al 6 report on the effects of rising food prices and coping strategies of 60 female-headed households residing in the Runnymede Village in the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality of the Mopani District in the Limpopo Province. These women were single, divorced or widowed, 53% were unemployed, 43% depended on social grants and 55% spent less than R500 on food per month.…”

“…Rising food prices affects the purchasing and eating behaviour of particularly the poor. Mkhawani et al 6 report that in Runnymede Village, 57% of the study participants changed their purchasing patterns because of higher food prices. They stopped buying certain food items, bought cheaper brands such as store brands, and some bought food in foreign-owned shops because they believed the prices to be cheaper.…”

“…They stopped buying certain food items, bought cheaper brands such as store brands, and some bought food in foreign-owned shops because they believed the prices to be cheaper. Overall, the study by Mkhawani et al 6 relates to the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES), which showed that price is the main driver behind food choices when food shopping. 12 Mkhawani et al 6 argue that rising food prices negatively affected participants because they were forced to buy cheaper generic store brands, which, according to the participants, tend to have an unpleasant taste due to the poor quality of the ingredients used.…”

“…Overall, the study by Mkhawani et al 6 relates to the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES), which showed that price is the main driver behind food choices when food shopping. 12 Mkhawani et al 6 argue that rising food prices negatively affected participants because they were forced to buy cheaper generic store brands, which, according to the participants, tend to have an unpleasant taste due to the poor quality of the ingredients used. A study in the UK, however, showed that generic store brands are not nutritionally inferior to the branded products.…”

Results from the Healthy Active Kids South Africa 2018 Report Card

“…[46] According to the 2016 community survey, 19.9% of households had run out of money to buy food in the previous 12 months. [49] Mkhawani et al [50] reported that the rising food prices resulted in 77% of households in the Mopani District running short of food before the end of the month.One other study in a low-income setting confirmed high levels of food insecurity in children. [51] Since the factors contributing to food insecurity appear to be worsening (or at least not improving), the grade has been downgraded to a D-.…”