Sithole, OscarWegerif, Marc C.A.2025-11-262025-11-262025-10Sithole, O., Wegerif, M.C.A. The contribution of cart traders to fresh produce accessibility in Soshanguve township, South Africa. Discover Food 5, 364: 1-31 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00634-w.2731-4286 (online)10.1007/s44187-025-00634-whttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/105511DATA AVAILABILITY : The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the author upon reasonable request. All materials used in this study are described within the manuscript and are available from the author upon request.Mobile cart traders are a vital component of the ‘informal’ food sector and urban food systems in South Africa and beyond. Yet, their contribution to food security remains poorly understood, largely due to limited data on their operations—what they sell, when and where they trade, and how they organize their work. This knowledge gap has led to their exclusion from policymaking and urban planning. This article uses a qualitative case study approach to examine the role of mobile cart traders selling fresh produce in improving access to nutritious and affordable food. Drawing on existing literature on street trading, the study argues that cart traders are integral to the (informal) food economy. They play a crucial role in making fresh, nutrient-rich produce accessible, which is essential for balanced diets and better health outcomes. The research is grounded in multi-sited ethnographic fieldwork conducted primarily in Soshanguve township, complemented by interviews and observations in other low-income urban areas across Gauteng Province, South Africa. The study explores how cart traders organize themselves to make fresh produce available to the urban poor. Findings show that most traders—predominantly immigrants from Southern Africa—entered the trade due to limited opportunities in the formal job market. Their businesses rely on socially embedded networks and informal economic practices that build trust and reciprocity among customers and peers. By meeting essential food needs, creating livelihoods, and mitigating the effects of supermarket-driven “food deserts,” these traders make a significant contribution to urban food security. Their earnings also circulate locally, generating wider economic benefits within the communities where they live and trade. These findings underscore the need for inclusive policies and urban planning frameworks that recognize and support the role of mobile cart traders in sustaining urban food systems.en© The Author(s) 2025. Open Access. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.Cart tradersInformal sectorFood securityFood systemsSocial embeddednessSouth AfricaArticle