CCRED, UJ
Combating COVID-19: the promise of foodtech in ...

Reena das Nair and Aarti Krishnan

Restrictions on movement, curfews, remote working and social distancing in the transition from lockdown is changing the way consumers access food. This will be the reality for a prolonged period to prevent new waves of virus infections in South Africa. Low-income consumers in township, peri-urban and rural areas are particularly vulnerable, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in food systems, like growers, processors, wholesalers, retailers (both formal and informal), fast-food outlets and restaurants, are at risk if they cannot rapidly adapt to changing consumption patterns.

sme

ARE WE DOING ENOUGH TO SUPPORT SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED FOOD PROCESSORS AND ALTERNATIVE ROUTES TO MARKET DURING AND AFTER COVID-19?

Reena das Nair

The formal supermarket chains are not the main lifeline for many small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) producing and processing food. These SMEs primarily sell through alternative routes to market such as independent wholesalers, cash and carrys, independent retailers, informal spaza shops, street vendors or directly to consumers within communities. These SMEs, who are already vulnerable in our food production system, will struggle to survive if they and their alternative routes to market are not supported during this time.