An overview on the role and potential of microorganisms in traditional food fermentations is given. Prospects for the implementation of starter cultures for homescale food fermentations are discussed against the background of the present situation, socio-economic and rural/logistic constraints, and the potential for improvement of traditional processes. Special attention is given to the African situation and the well-accepted lactic fermented, traditional foods. Perspectives are given on the improvement of the nutritional value and the overall product safety, with reference to strain selection on the basis of particular phenotypic and technical features.