Unpacking the informal midstream: how the informal economy could contribute to enhanced food system outcomes

Informal traders, street vendors, and transporters — known as midstream businesses — play a critical role in food systems in the Global South, providing affordable food to low-income households. However, negative impacts relating to these businesses may occur because of unregulated activities, for example, poor working conditions, operating outside of regulation food safety policies, and lack of knowledge around and incentives to enforce adequate hygiene standards. Knowledge on effective approaches to reach out and include informal businesses in enhancing food system outcomes and reducing negative impacts is lacking. This is leading to missed opportunities in achieving zero hunger — Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 — and other SDGs. There is a need for improved understanding of the motivations, organization, and governance of informal businesses, so policies and interventions can be adjusted to their realities.