Urban food distribution and household consumption

Food is the most important item in the expenditure of the individual and the family. Most estimates put the average proportion of the household budget spent on food in Third World countries at between 50 and 60 per cent of total income (Goldman 1974), although it is much higher for lower income groups (Islam 1982; Lam 1982). Given the low and erratic incomes of large numbers of urban families, many face serious nutritional problems.