Building Resilient Urban Food Systems through Informal Food Markets in Zimbabwe

This article explores the critical role of informal markets in sustaining food access and affordability during systemic disruptions in Zimbabwe. Drawing on literature, policy analysis, and contextual evidence, the study examines how informal food markets comprising street vendors, open-air traders, mobile hawkers, and peri-urban suppliers have provided a vital safety net for urban and peri-urban populations during economic crises, climate shocks, and public health emergencies such as COVID-19. Drawing on literature, policy analysis, and case studies from Kwekwe, Mutare, Gweru, Harare and Bulawayo, the paper highlights the adaptability and resilience of informal markets in bridging institutional and infrastructural gaps. Despite their marginalization in urban policy, informal markets remain central to urban food systems, especially for low-income populations. The article concludes by calling for inclusive urban governance that integrates informal food systems into food security and resilience planning. The paper highlights the characteristics of these markets, including their decentralization, pricing flexibility, and proximity to consumers, which enable them to maintain food availability and stabilize prices when formal systems are strained or collapse. It also assesses the socioeconomic importance of informal markets in offering livelihoods and promoting dietary diversity among vulnerable communities. Despite their importance, informal markets face systemic challenges such as legal exclusion, inadequate infrastructure, and policy neglect. The article concludes with recommendations for integrating informal markets into urban food governance and resilience planning to enhance equitable food systems in Zimbabwe.