Food basket gap leaves South African households choosing cost over nutrition

South Africa's food affordability crisis is increasingly forcing households to trade off between the cost of food and its nutritional value. The September Household Affordability Index shows that the average food basket costs R5,488.06, while the basic nutritional food basket for a family of seven costs R6,655.29, creating a R1,167.23 gap. Households are reducing food quantity and quality, often purchasing cheaper, less nutritious options due to financial pressure, which is linked to health issues such as high stunting rates among children.