In 2008, the world’s urban population outnumbered its rural population for the first time in history. By 2030, 60 percent of the world’s population is expected to live in cities. This urbanization process goes together closely with growing urban poverty and food insecurity. Currently, approximately one-third of the world’s population is living in slums and informal settlements. If prevailing trends continue, this figure could reach 2 billion by 2030. As cities expand, so do the food needs of urban families. While impacts of the food and financial crisis affect both rural and urban populations, the urban poor have been among the hardest hit. Urban consumers are almost exclusively dependent on food purchases and variations in food prices and income directly translate into diminished purchasing power and rising rates of food insecurity, thus compromising dietary quantity and quality. Changes in lifestyles have further contributed to increased urban malnutrition and diet-related chronic diseases.