On 21 November 2025, the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and the Union Against Hunger hosted a public workshop at the We the 99% Social Summit at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.
As millions of households struggle to afford nutritious food, high and volatile food prices continue to deepen hunger and inequality in South Africa. Although food inflation has slowed, prices remain unaffordable for many low-income households, which are particularly vulnerable to corporate concentration in the food system, climate shocks, and weak regulation.
The workshop brought together activists, experts, and community voices to examine why food prices have risen, who benefits, and what can be done to build a fairer food system.
The discussion explored:
- Why food prices surged in recent years;
- Who profits from rising food costs;
- How high prices affect hunger and nutrition;
- What government and society can do to stabilise prices; and
- What a just, resilient, and nourishing food system could look like.
The conversation connected food prices to the constitutional right to food, climate justice, dignity, and the need for policies that make nutritious food available, accessible, and affordable for all.
