Food insecurity is a feature of life for millions of South Africans. Food insecurity refers to a lack of regular access to enough safe and nutritious food for average growth and development and an active and healthy life. This may be due to unavailability of food or a lack of resources to buy it.

The extent of this was recently mapped by the Human Sciences Research Council. For example, in Gauteng province, South Africa's economic powerhouse, 51% of households experience food insecurity. A national survey between 2021 and 2023 found Gauteng households were affected to different degrees: 14% faced severe food insecurity, 20% moderate food insecurity, and 17% mild food insecurity.

The research also found that South African households survive on nutrient-poor food groups such as cereals, condiments, sugars, oils and fats. Consumption of nutrient-rich food groups such as fruits, pulses, nuts, eggs, fish and seafood is limited.

Dietary diversity is useful for measuring food security. A diverse, nutritious and balanced diet prevents nutritional deficiencies and diseases. A fall in dietary diversity is linked to a rise in the proportion of people who are malnourished.

The HSRC findings were the most recent to point to a growing crisis of food insecurity in the country. In an earlier study, we examined the diets of people living in South Africa's second largest city, Tshwane.

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