Tevera, DanielSimelane, Nomcebo13/04/201413/04/20142014Tevera, D. & Simelane, N. (2014). Food for the urban poor: safety nets and food-based social protection in Manzini, Swaziland. Urban Forum, January 20141015-3802https://hdl.handle.net/10566/1071http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12132-014-9226-4This paper aims to contribute to the urban food security debate by exploring the role of informal safety nets and formal food-based social protection in addressing food insecurity challenges facing low-income urban households in Manzini. The empirical data used in this paper came from two surveys: the first involved 500 households and was undertaken in three low-income areas of Manzini. The second involved a series of in-depth interviews with senior staff at supermarkets and spaza shops. The results reveal that food security challenges are considerable in the low-income areas of Manzini and that, at the same time, various forms of community and intra-household food sharing are an important food source for a minority of poor households in the city. In this regard, the national government needs to consider strengthening food-based social safety net programmes that assist poor and vulnerable groups.enCopyright Springer.Urban food securitySocial protectionNeighbourhood care pointsManziniSwazilandArticle