This report argues that it is essential to understand  the dynamics of the informal  food retail sector because of its vital role in ensuring  greater access to food by the urban poor. Existing policy frameworks to address food security and to govern the informal sector tend to neglect informal retail in the food system. As a result, the sector is poorly understood. The report therefore attempts to identify the characteristics of the sector that impact  on its ability to address the  food needs of the  neighbourhoods in which the businesses are located....