Local food market infrastructure improvements

Local food markets are vital nodes in the food systems, serving as the link between consumers and producers especially in rural and peri-urban areas. In low-and-middle income countries, there are often common challenges of market waste management, poor sanitation and aging infrastructure that lacks adequate ventilation, etc. As these markets enable easy access to food for residents and offer many food-based livelihood opportunities, they are critical to both food safety and sustainable regional economic development. Market infrastructure itself can have significant impacts on food safety and accessibility. As such, infrastructure improvements can support food system transformation in critical ways. This innovation proposes to improve a local food market's infrastructure to enable wholesalers, retailers and consumers to meet their needs in a healthier food environment by improving food hygiene and safety, allowing for more equitable access for all types of consumers (e.g. handicapped persons). Likewise, infrastructure for food vendors built with any combination of innovative techniques - an air circulation system with solar lighting (to reduce electric costs) or an improved cooking gas system (to reduce or eliminate the need for firewood and charcoal), improved toilets with rain-water collection systems (reducing water use) - can have major impact on both human and planetary health. This innovation has the potential to reduce food loss due to spoilage, poor storage and/or handling, as well as increase sales and consumption and improve food hygiene and safety. All market stakeholder commitments (ministry, local government, food vendors…etc) should be aligned to move the solution to impact. Market reconstruction techniques and practices would create a more sustainable and safer working environment for food suppliers with high potential to transform the livelihoods of local consumers.