Mapping Food Access for Autistic Families in South Africa 

Study Project: SAFEST: South Africa Food Environment Supporting Thriving Families

Study Aims

Objective 1: To explore caregivers' experiences of children with disability, aiming to understand the challenges they have in feeding their children and accessing foods (as well as associated costs).
Objective 2: To create a geospatial map of food availability, particularly from informal food traders, within a 2.5 km radius of the Wits Health Hubb in Johannesburg (Soweto).
Objective 3: To evaluate caregiver preferences and perceptions related to Indigenous Foods as low-cost, high-nutrition options using a Discrete Choice Experiment
Objective 4: To offer support and education for caregivers interested in Indigenous Foods through the co-creation of material

Background

The aim of this pilot study is to explore the lived experiences of caregivers of children with disabilities, focusing specifically on the challenges they encounter in feeding their children and accessing affordable, nutritious food and the potential opportunities to introduce underutilised foods in their diets. The study adopts an intersectional lens to examine how social, economic, and environmental factors influence food access, caregiver decision-making, and child nutrition. Particular attention is given to the potential role of Indigenous Foods (IFs, foods neglected or underutilised, such as amaranth, millet, marama bean, yambean or groundnut) as culturally relevant and cost-effective nutritional options. The research aligns with national and global priorities related to child nutrition, food security, disability inclusion, and sustainable food systems, while overlapping with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2, Zero Hunger, 3 Good Health and Well-Being and 12 Responsible Consumption and Production. This collaboration aims to build research capacity, foster methodological innovation, and deepen the understanding of food environments and caregiver behaviour in disability contexts.

Our pilot project includes a survey split into two blocks. The first block is a mixed-method survey to understand families’ experiences with children with various disabilities. This survey will explore the food environment of these families to better understand whether their food needs are being met or not. The second block includes the design and elicitation of Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) where carers are able to gives us insights about their preferences for IFs and more popular foods (for example maize, rice and wheat) in terms of cost, ease of access, ease of cooking and nutritional value, among other attributes.

Current progress or findings 

This project aims to start in 2026. We are currently sourcing funding 

Study implications 

This work will help us to understand nutrition and the potential usage of IFs is essential for public policy purposes (sustainability of food systems), and to ensure that families have more nutritive and low-cost food options, especially for children, and especially given the rates of malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our target area for this project is Soweto, Johannesburg South Africa. 

Team members

Dr Skye Nandi Adams
Dr Sussy Munialo (University of Pretoria)
Dr Irene Mussio (University of Leeds)