This article presents the results of a survey that explores the relationship between agricultural production and socioeconomic status among rural households in the former-homeland of KwaZulu. The survey area is typical of the communally-owned developing areas in South Africa where the majority of the rural poor reside. An overview of household demographics and farming in the study area is presented, followed by an analysis of the factors that distinguish food-surplus from food-deficit producers. The results illustrate the strong relationship between agricultural production and socio-economic status among rural households in South Africa. They show that both supply and demand factors play a crucial role in determining the availability of sufficient food to assure rural household food security. This finding has important policy implications for reducing food insecurity for a large proportion of the present rural poor and landless.