Determinants of Rural Households’ Participation and Expenditure on Food-Away-From-Home in South Africa: A Double-Hurdle Model Approach

Lefophane Mapula Hildah (), Elsie Legong Mokibelo and Mbulaheni Mmbengwa Victor
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Lefophane Mapula Hildah: University of Limpopo, South Africa
Elsie Legong Mokibelo: University of Limpopo, South Africa
Mbulaheni Mmbengwa Victor: University of Limpopo, South Africa

Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, 2025, vol. 76, issue 2, 136-150

Abstract: This study employs a double-hurdle model to examine the factors influencing rural households’ participation in, and expenditure on, food away from home (FAFH) in South Africa post-lockdown. Using face-to-face interviews, data were collected from 360 rural households in Ga-Molepo through simple random sampling. Descriptive analysis revealed a significant shift in FAFH participation and spending after lockdown. Probit model results showed that employment status, household size, income, the number of employed household members, and social grants significantly influenced FAFH participation, with gender and marital status also playing key roles. The OLS model identified employment status, household size, household income, employed household members, and social grant recipients as primary determinants of FAFH expenditure, alongside educational, household structure, and social relief of distress (SRD) grants. These findings underscore the critical role of employment, income, and social grants in FAFH consumption. Policy efforts should prioritize job creation, income growth, and efficient grant distribution, while also promoting gender-inclusive employment and targeted relief programs to support the growth of the FAFH sector.

Keywords: food away from home; double-hurdle model; rural households; expenditure; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:vrs:pojard:v:76:y:2025:i:2:p:136-150:n:1002

DOI: 10.17306/j.jard.2025.00007r1

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