However, despite their critical role in serving communities, these township-based stores face growing concerns over food safety standards, including poor handling practices, inadequate storage, sanitation issues, and weak regulatory enforcement.

Speaking on the matter, Nevo Hadas, Chief Executive Officer of Smartfill, a South African-based plastic-free grocery store, highlighted the need for better solutions to ensure safer food access in township economies.

“So what it does is it bridges the requirement of consumers to have food that is affordable, to be able to buy in small quantities. Most of the food quantities that are sold in spazas, which are smaller packets available from recognised manufacturers to work with, allow consumers to buy a variety a day and keep it safe,” explained Hadas.

--ChannelAfrica--