The impact of the Social Cash Transfer Scheme on food security in Malawi

► Transfers allowed households to increase food expenditures and improve dietary diversity. ► Cash recipients smoothed food consumption and reduced hunger during the rainy season. ► A variety of food is available in local markets. Transfers link poor households to markets. ► Transfers increase both the likelihood of having and the quantity of food stores. ► Policymakers are optimistic about the cash transfer, but the sustainability of the SCTS is unclear.