Resource information
Cognizant of the centrality of food systems
in a rapidly urbanizing world amidst
environmental and health risks, the
Resilient Cities Initiative will strengthen
capacities for research and innovation in
the management of urban food systems in
Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
As part of this initiative, the CIPimplemented
Philippine project aims
to improve urban food systems by
strengthening enterprise capacities of
informal vendors, thereby helping to
improve food supply and diets of the
urban populace and securing economic
opportunities, especially for the urban
poor. This initial study reports findings
from an assessment of the participation
of informal food vendors in the agrifood
systems of two Metro Manila pilot cities
in order to contribute to the design of
capacity development interventions in the
next phase.
Findings show that informal food vendors
play a significant role in food provisioning,
livelihood and income generation across
the food chain. They are found to be key
links between multiple food production
locations and consumers in primary,
secondary, and satellite markets, especially
benefiting the urban poor. Recognizing
these, city governments started policy
initiatives to improve the functioning of
informal vendors in market spaces, coming
up with options that address issues on
relocation, regularization, and marketing.
At this point, though, it is still largely
a work in progress. Evidence suggests
a greater likelihood of informal food
vendors contributing to resilient cities
by strengthening their enterprise skills
and giving them access to information,
innovation, and support services to
improve selling practices, sanitation and
hygiene, and make nutrient-sensitive food
chain improvements. Based on these, it
is proposed that designs for developing
the capacity of this sector involve the
adaptation of the CIP-developed Farmer
Business School into the Vendor Business
School, integrating the capacity and
learning needs of informal vendors in
partnership with city governments and
stakeholders.
