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Food Availability, Preferences and Consumption in Zimbabwean Urban Spaces

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Environmental Resilience

Part of the book series: Advances in 21st Century Human Settlements ((ACHS))

Abstract

Food availability, preferences and consumption are critical factors of food insecurity. The chapter unfolds food preferences availability and consumption in Zimbabwe with particular reference to Harare, Bulawayo and Bindura. Through extensive literature review and document analysis it is evident that there is food distribution and accessibility problems that need to be addressed. Expanding employment opportunities, thereby enhancing households’ sources of incomes can be the solution. Food insecurity is well understood concerning issues, such as social protection, sources of income, rural and urban development, changing household structures, health and access to land, water and inputs, retail markets, or education and nutritional knowledge. Household food security in Zimbabwe has declined due to a drastic reduction in food and agricultural production following erratic rainfall, a declining industrial economy and the gross lack of key farming inputs. Food availability is declining thus affecting preferences and consumption. Policies addressing food availability that affects preferences and consumption should be spatially blind and universal in application targeting the poorest communities especially in urban areas that are often neglected.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Architecture & Real Estate, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Marcyline Chivenge

  2. Department of Demography Settlement and Development, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Innocent Chirisa

  3. Department of Urban & Regional Planning, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

    Innocent Chirisa

Authors
  1. Marcyline Chivenge
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  2. Innocent Chirisa
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Municipal Development Partnership for Eastern and Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Percy Toriro

  2. Department of Demography Settlement and Development, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe

    Innocent Chirisa

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Chivenge, M., Chirisa, I. (2021). Food Availability, Preferences and Consumption in Zimbabwean Urban Spaces. In: Toriro, P., Chirisa, I. (eds) Environmental Resilience. Advances in 21st Century Human Settlements. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-0305-1_7

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