Urban Food Insecurity and the Advent of Food Banking Southern Africa

The North American food banking model has been the subject of considerable debate over the years. Given that the South African system is modelled very closely on the American food banking model, it is as well to be aware of the criticisms levelled against that model. The first section of this report therefore examines the evolution of food banking in North America and the research on its functioning and efficacy. The next section reviews the transplantation of this model to South Africa in the last five years and the emergence of FoodBank South Africa. Finally, the paper discusses a case study of FoodBank Johannesburg, one of five food banks that are currently part of FBSA. As well as reviewing the origins, organisation, and operation of FoodBank Johannesburg, the report examines the implications of food banking for existing food redistribu- tion NGOs. The report concludes with a discussion and recommenda- tions on the potential of food banking for resolving the “invisible crisis” of food insecurity in Southern African cities.