Food insecurity on the increase in SAFoodForward SA (FFSA) has released its flagship State of Household Food Insecurity in South Africa Report 2026, exposing the scale and severity of food insecurity in households that already rely on local community kitchens for food support. Using internationally recognised tools, including the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), the study turns early warning signs into hard evidence about how food insecurity is causing mounting anxiety. The findings show that food insecurity is increasing, is severe and persistent, even with food assistance programmes in place. Widespread, severe and chronicThe report finds that around 70% of surveyed households experience moderate-to-severe food insecurity, and that roughly one in four households live in severe conditions where they go an entire day without food. Evidence for policy and actionThe Household Food Insecurity Report 2026 is intended to guide government, donors and implementing partners in responding to this ongoing crisis.