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The informal sector’s role in food security: A missing link in policy debates?

By , on September 12, 2016

This paper aims to review what is currently known about the role played by the informal sector in general and informal retailers in particular, in the accessibility of food in South Africa. The review seeks to identify policy relevant research gaps. Drawing on Statistics South Africa data, it shows that the informal sector is an important source of employment, dominated by informal trade with the sale of food a significant subsector within this trade. It then turns its attention to what is known about the informal sector’s role in food sourcing of poorer households. African Food Security Urban Network’s surveys show that urban residents and particularly low income households regularly sourced food from the informal sector and it explores why this might be the case through an expanded view of access.

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Skinner, Caroline, and Haysom, Gareth. The informal sector’s role in food security: A missing link in policy debates?. PLAAS Working Paper Series, 44, . PLAAS, UWC and Centre of Excellence on Food Security, 2016. https://www.wiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-informal-sectors-role-in-food-security-A-missing-link-in-policy-debates.pdfSkinner, C., and Haysom, G. (2016). The informal sector’s role in food security: A missing link in policy debates?. PLAAS Working Paper Series, 44, . https://www.wiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-informal-sectors-role-in-food-security-A-missing-link-in-policy-debates.pdfSkinner, Caroline, and Haysom, Gareth. "The informal sector’s role in food security: A missing link in policy debates?." PLAAS Working Paper Series, PLAAS, UWC and Centre of Excellence on Food Security, 2016, .Skinner Caroline, and Haysom Gareth. "The informal sector’s role in food security: A missing link in policy debates?." PLAAS Working Paper Series 44(2016). https://www.wiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-informal-sectors-role-in-food-security-A-missing-link-in-policy-debates.pdfSkinner, C, and Haysom, G 2016, 'The informal sector’s role in food security: A missing link in policy debates?', PLAAS Working Paper Series, 44, . https://www.wiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-informal-sectors-role-in-food-security-A-missing-link-in-policy-debates.pdfCaroline Skinner, and Gareth Haysom, 'The informal sector’s role in food security: A missing link in policy debates?' (2016) 44 PLAAS Working Paper Series Skinner C., and Haysom G. The informal sector’s role in food security: A missing link in policy debates?. PLAAS Working Paper Series. 2016;44. https://www.wiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-informal-sectors-role-in-food-security-A-missing-link-in-policy-debates.pdfSkinner, Caroline, and Haysom, Gareth. The informal sector’s role in food security: A missing link in policy debates?. PLAAS Working Paper Series. 2016, 44, . https://www.wiego.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-informal-sectors-role-in-food-security-A-missing-link-in-policy-debates.pdf

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