In this manual, particularly attention will be paid to street foods and to small-scale food processors. Street foods have been defined by FAO as ‘ready to eat foods and beverages prepared and / or sold by vendors in streets and other places.’ Small scale food processors refer to small businesses, usually home based, where different types of foods and other products are prepared, packed and sold to the public.
By the end of this module, participants will be able to describe the characteristics of an informal sector business, explain the growth and development of the informal food sector in SADC countries, explain the importance and contribution of the informal sector to the economy and social structure, describe the role of the informal food sector in diet, nutrition and food safety, discuss the problems commonly associated with the informal food sector and lastly, discuss the different requirements of the informal food sector.
Course Content
- Definition of Terms
- Characteristics of the Informal Food Sector
- Examples of Informal Food Sector Businesses
- Contribution of the Informal Food Sector
- Problems Associated with the Informal Sector
- Improving the Informal Food Sector