Leveraging the food environment to improve diet quality in urban informal settlements: Insights from Viwandani informal food vendors

Urban informal settlements in Nairobi face a rapidly changing food environment that undermines diet quality and increases vulnerability to
non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Findings from three complementary studies show that households rely heavily on daily food purchases,
spend a significant share of their income on food, and consume diets characterized by low diversity and extremely limited intake of vitamin
A-rich fruits and vegetables. Although healthy foods are available within a 200m radius (a proxy for walkable access), unhealthy foods are
equally widespread—and often more convenient, affordable and appealing. The challenge is not simply a lack of a healthy food supply. It is an
environment that systematically makes unhealthy choices easier. Addressing this requires targeted food environment policies, not only supply
side interventions. Income plays a mixed role, as higher income enables households to purchase both healthy and unhealthy foods, suggesting
that availability alone is insufficient to shift consumption patterns without targeted policy interventions.
Food safety concerns further exacerbate vulnerability, as fruits, vegetables, and street foods are often contaminated. Unsafe foods compromise
both nutrition and health outcomes. Transforming the urban food environment, through vendor-focused interventions, agroecological supply
chains development, and strengthened food safety systems, presents a strategic opportunity to improve diet quality, reduce NCD risks, and
enhance health outcomes for informal settlement households. This policy brief targets policy makers at both national and county governments;
working in various ministries including Agriculture, Education, Health, and Trade among many others. It is also relevant for research and
development partners working on urban food systems and NCD prevention in informal settlements.