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#Africanfoodsystems @IDRC_CRDI @UPTuks @UWConline

https://twitter.com/SAfmRadio/status/1452564842146054145

@IDRC_CRDI @UPTuks @UWConline Our research shows that food prices have risen *faster* than general inflation in every month since the start of COVID. It has been disastrous not only for poor consumers but also low-income farmers, fishers and street traders and bakkie traders.
Listen to @SAfmRadio right now.

@IDRC_CRDI @UPTuks @UWConline @SAfmRadio Why are food prices rising so fast, even though there is no shortage?

Find out as we share our research on #COVID19 and #Africanfoodsystems right now on @SAfmRadio with @MarcWegerif.

@IDRC_CRDI @UPTuks @UWConline @SAfmRadio @MarcWegerif Our price tracking shows that healthy food like fruit and vegetables are much cheaper from street traders than in supermarkets - meanwhile law enforcement like @JoburgMPD are busy confiscating the food being sold by street traders. #Africanfoodsystems

@IDRC_CRDI @UPTuks @UWConline @SAfmRadio @MarcWegerif @JoburgMPD Why do we have anti-poor governance of the food system? What can & should we learn from the COVID food crisis? Our research findings are coming out this week.

You can get a sneak preview in this conversation with @CathyMohlahlana @MarcWegerif and others. safm.co.za/digital/player…

@IDRC_CRDI @UPTuks @UWConline @SAfmRadio @MarcWegerif @JoburgMPD @CathyMohlahlana South Africa had a food crisis even *before* COVID but it's taken on new proportions in the past 18 months as small-scale farmers, artisanal fishers, bakkie traders & street traders have been squeeezed out through discriminatory enforcement of regulations.
plaas.org.za/african-food-s…

Street traders sell food far more cheaply than supermarkets like @Shoprite_SA - it is on the streets that low-income people benefit as both producers, traders and buyers. Lockdown regulations forced people with little money to buy more expensive food at supermarkets.

@Shoprite_SA Municipalities have a lot of power to support small businesses run by street traders - incl. regulations to make available space for local food hubs, farmers' markets. Traders need space, shelter, water, storage - and an end to harassment.

@Shoprite_SA Local government needs to affirm the right to space to trade in our towns and cities.

The lessons from #COVID19 shows that municipalities have discriminated against street traders and criminalised people's livelihoods. Yet they make cheaper food available to people.

@Shoprite_SA Government procurement can be used to buy fresh produce, fish and other foods from small-scale producers. There are so many opportunities for government to resolve the food crisis - by securing markets and market space, and giving land, trading space and infrastructure.

@Shoprite_SA COVID gives us the reason & evidence to show the way forward to decentralise the food system in SA. #Africanfoodsystems

You can catch the summary of research findings & recommendations when we share the podcast from
@MarcWegerif @saitf6 interview @CathyMohlahlana @SAfmRadio

What has #COVID19 taught us about how to improve equity and resilience in #Africanfoodsystems?

Here's the @SAfmRadio interview - with researcher @MarcWegerif, farmer Sibongile Cele and trader Thusi Jakkals. Thanks to @IDRC_CRDI for supporting our research omny.fm/shows/the-talk…

@SAfmRadio @MarcWegerif @IDRC_CRDI @threadreaderapp unroll