Posted:
Monday - October 17, 2022
5:38 pm
The cost of living in the UK has been rising since late 2021, affecting businesses and households across the country. This inflation is thought to be the result of a number of contributing factors: the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit and the challenges within the supply chain, and ongoing geopolitical issues between Russia and Ukraine. The combination of these factors has resulted in increased costs for energy, petrol and food, resulting in millions of people across the country struggling to stretch their income to match rising bills.
At FareShare Midlands, we have seen a steady increase in the request for food since the organisation began in 2008, however over the last couple of years, the need for food has grown significantly and become even more urgent.
According to the Food Foundation, a survey conducted in April 2022 showed a 60% increase in food insecurity in the UK since the pandemic, with over 7 million adults reported to be living in households where food is not available or physically accessible. These households include 2.6 million children. This is a worrying increase, which we will likely see rise over the winter period. The Food Foundation’s report shows that 1 in 5 households that contain children have faced food insecurity over the last 6 months. This means meals are reduced in size, or skipped altogether due to a lack of funds to buy food.
Rising costs are not only affecting individual people and families, but also the charities and community groups that work tirelessly to support those in their communities facing difficulties. With food, fuel and utility bills increasing, a recent survey of 1,200 organisations receiving FareShare food revealed 90% of organisations are already feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis.
“We have families that we know would be struggling if they didn’t use our service. The rise in the costs of electricity and gas are starting to bite now, and we expect and are ready for an expansion of the food pantry service ... The expectation is that in the short-to-medium term the need for the food pantry will increase significantly.” Martin, E2
FareShare Midlands is working hard to grow and develop our services in order to support our Community Food Members through the crisis. One of the ways we are hoping to do this is by offering pre-cooked meals, made in our production kitchen at Nottingham City Council’s Loxley House. We hope these meals will help our groups save the time, energy and electricity costs they would usually need to cook their own meals from scratch.
With 75% of groups seeing an increase in demand over the last few months, due to more people facing food insecurity across the country, foodbanks are seeing an increase in requests for ‘ready-to-eat’ food, with uncooked items like pasta and rice becoming less desirable. This is because people cannot afford to cook in their own homes.
“These vulnerable locals are having to make hard choices now – do they put the heating on? Do they buy shoes for their children? Or do they have food to eat?” Lucy, Brushstrokes
We are also seeing an increase in community spaces simply offering a warm place for people to go, as heating has quickly become a luxury some people can no longer afford. These spaces are vital within communities, as they not only provide something to eat and somewhere to go, but also help encourage social interaction - and often provide crucial advice and support to those facing personal difficulties.
"The food is a real lifeline for me, as the sole carer to four young children – but it’s also about the community support they offer. The kids can throw up real challenges at times, and I know I’ll be listened to and helped with my problems – it’s like a big family, all pulling together.” James, attendee at Gussie’s
Our CEO, Simone Connolly, says; “At FareShare Midlands, we are deeply concerned about the effect that the recent energy price cap rises will have on individuals and organisations across the non-profit sector. As the cost of living soars, we know that many of our Community Food Members will struggle to deliver their essential services that so many people rely on. Amidst this crisis, FareShare Midlands will continue to do all we can to make sure that good quality food is reaching our members, who support some of the most vulnerable in society. We remain completely committed to our mission of fighting hunger and tackling waste.”
With food becoming less accessible for those facing poverty, FareShare Midlands needs support from individuals and the food industry to help us meet the growing need. There are many ways you can help us:
The Food Foundation https://www.foodfoundation.org.uk/press-release/millions-adults-missing-meals-cost-living-crisis-bites
The FareShare UK Running On Empty Campaign https://fareshare.org.uk/what-we-do/campaigns/runningonempty/
At FareShare Midlands, we have seen a steady increase in the request for food since the organisation began in 2008, however over the last couple of years, the need for food has grown significantly and become even more urgent.
According to the Food Foundation, a survey conducted in April 2022 showed a 60% increase in food insecurity in the UK since the pandemic, with over 7 million adults reported to be living in households where food is not available or physically accessible. These households include 2.6 million children. This is a worrying increase, which we will likely see rise over the winter period. The Food Foundation’s report shows that 1 in 5 households that contain children have faced food insecurity over the last 6 months. This means meals are reduced in size, or skipped altogether due to a lack of funds to buy food.
Rising costs are not only affecting individual people and families, but also the charities and community groups that work tirelessly to support those in their communities facing difficulties. With food, fuel and utility bills increasing, a recent survey of 1,200 organisations receiving FareShare food revealed 90% of organisations are already feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis.
“We have families that we know would be struggling if they didn’t use our service. The rise in the costs of electricity and gas are starting to bite now, and we expect and are ready for an expansion of the food pantry service ... The expectation is that in the short-to-medium term the need for the food pantry will increase significantly.” Martin, E2
FareShare Midlands is working hard to grow and develop our services in order to support our Community Food Members through the crisis. One of the ways we are hoping to do this is by offering pre-cooked meals, made in our production kitchen at Nottingham City Council’s Loxley House. We hope these meals will help our groups save the time, energy and electricity costs they would usually need to cook their own meals from scratch.
With 75% of groups seeing an increase in demand over the last few months, due to more people facing food insecurity across the country, foodbanks are seeing an increase in requests for ‘ready-to-eat’ food, with uncooked items like pasta and rice becoming less desirable. This is because people cannot afford to cook in their own homes.
“These vulnerable locals are having to make hard choices now – do they put the heating on? Do they buy shoes for their children? Or do they have food to eat?” Lucy, Brushstrokes
We are also seeing an increase in community spaces simply offering a warm place for people to go, as heating has quickly become a luxury some people can no longer afford. These spaces are vital within communities, as they not only provide something to eat and somewhere to go, but also help encourage social interaction - and often provide crucial advice and support to those facing personal difficulties.
"The food is a real lifeline for me, as the sole carer to four young children – but it’s also about the community support they offer. The kids can throw up real challenges at times, and I know I’ll be listened to and helped with my problems – it’s like a big family, all pulling together.” James, attendee at Gussie’s
Our CEO, Simone Connolly, says; “At FareShare Midlands, we are deeply concerned about the effect that the recent energy price cap rises will have on individuals and organisations across the non-profit sector. As the cost of living soars, we know that many of our Community Food Members will struggle to deliver their essential services that so many people rely on. Amidst this crisis, FareShare Midlands will continue to do all we can to make sure that good quality food is reaching our members, who support some of the most vulnerable in society. We remain completely committed to our mission of fighting hunger and tackling waste.”
With food becoming less accessible for those facing poverty, FareShare Midlands needs support from individuals and the food industry to help us meet the growing need. There are many ways you can help us:
- Do you have surplus food currently going to waste? https://faresharemidlands.org.uk/food-donation/
- Could you spare a couple of hours to volunteer with us? https://faresharemidlands.org.uk/volunteer-with-us/
- Do you fancy fundraising for us? https://faresharemidlands.org.uk/fundraise/
- Donate whatever you can, £1 provides up to 4 meals! https://faresharemidlands.org.uk/donate/
The Food Foundation https://www.foodfoundation.org.uk/press-release/millions-adults-missing-meals-cost-living-crisis-bites
The FareShare UK Running On Empty Campaign https://fareshare.org.uk/what-we-do/campaigns/runningonempty/
