USAID Nawiri explored local food markets to inform approaches to strengthen local and regional food systems to improve households’ ability to access safe, affordable, and nutritious foods year-round. It conducted a food market system assessment through a literature review; cost of diet, household economy approach; and labor market analyses and held workshops with public and private sector actors to identify local solutions and strategies. The assessments found that households rely primarily on local markets for food; households with more purchasing power buy more nutritious and diverse foods; and climate and other shocks and stresses limit poor households’ livestock production and sale. Supply of nutritious, fresh foods year-round in rural markets is limited by weak market linkages and integrations; high transport and security costs; a lack of bulk storage options; and weak irrigation infrastructure and management systems. Markets could take advantage of the nascent and growing demand for fresh vegetables and other nutritious foods in rural areas.