Household Food Security in the UK: A Review of Food Aid

2014

Background to this Report This report presents findings from a Rapid Evidence Assessment undertaken from February and March 2013. The aim of the research was to arrive at a better understanding of the 'food aid' landscape in the UK and the 'at risk' individuals who access such provision, as well as the means and drivers for seeking access. The research used a standardized methodology for a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) of existing published empirical literature. To supplement the REA, other evidence was obtained through a 'call for evidence', non-governmental sources and a small amount of rapid primary research. This non-REA evidence was used where it constituted the best available evidence, with its limitations explicitly acknowledged in the report. In the short timescale available, it was not feasible to subject all non-REA evidence to detailed examination of its methodological rigour and quality (such as that used by NICE in developing public health guidance). However, this evidence offers an important starting point for future research, given the limited nature of existing published empirical research on this topic in the UK and the short timescale for the research underpinning this report. Background to the Research This research comes at a crucial time, both for those involved in the provision of 'food aid' in the UK, and for the increasing number of households and individuals asking for help. The growth of The Trussell Trust Foodbank Network in particular has raised the profile of the problems to which such initiatives are emerging as a response. Policy makers, along with the media and the wider public, are now

British Food Journal, 2014

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the findings from two recent reviews on food aid use in the UK and discuss their implications and the challenges they posed for researchers, policy makers and the voluntary and community sector. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on two research reviews conducted in 2013 and 2014. Findings – Whilst it is possible to draw important insights into key drivers of food aid use, how food aid is draw on by recipients and some of the perceived outcomes of the provision from the research that is available, ultimately the reviews highlight the emergent and largely unsystematic nature of the UK evidence base. The lack of agreed definitions and measures of food insecurity/food poverty further limits the knowledge base. Even where such evidence may be forthcoming, in terms of implementing effective solutions to the need for food aid, UK researchers, policy makers, NGOs and others face considerable challenges in terms of identifying res...

2014

The use of emergency food aid in the UK, particularly in the form of food banks, has dramatically increased over the last decade. Research was jointly conducted by Oxfam, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), the Church of England and The Trussell Trust to examine why people are turning to food banks, how food bank use fits with their wider coping strategies, and what might be done to reduce the need that leads to food bank use. Interviews with clients at seven food banks across the UK revealed that the acute crisis that leads people to turn to food banks is often set against a background of complex, difficult lives. Experiences included ill health, bereavement, relationship breakdown, heavy caring responsibilities or job loss, as well as constantly low income. The report shows that action is needed to ensure that the safety net provided by the social security system is vital. It can help prevent life shocks becoming crises, and offer vital protection for vulnerable people. This report...

Anthropology Today, 2016

2019

2014

This scoping project was one of several commissioned through the Communities and Culture N T the experience of food aid into the wider socioeconomic and political contexts which surround it. A conceptual map was developed on the basis of these interviews and a complementary process of literature and documentary scoping which sought to identify existing evidence of the phenomena of food aid in the UK. In particular, the scoping exercise highlighted background and foregrounded accounts of why the recipients were using the food aid resources and their personal stories of wider T the landscape of existing evidence and discourses in policy arenas around food security and social policy, and general public debate, including emergent terminologies, particularly in the context of the current economic climate. Contents Executive Summary p. 2 Policy Issues  The scoping project indicates that policy levers with potential impact on triggers to food aid use extend across Whitehall and Parliamentary boundaries, and national-local scales.  The fragmentary nature of the contexts of these levers across spheres of government seems to challenge possibilities for a comprehensive approach to addressing food poverty, and the need for food aid. Empirical Issues  The process of this scoping exercise raised some questions around the challenge of capturing these experiences of food poor households. Interviews can be traumatic for participants and issues of confidentiality and anonymity are paramount.

This qualitative study explored frontline service providers' perceptions of the nature of food insecurity in Scotland in 2015 to inform national policy and the provision of locally-based support for 'at risk' groups. A country-wide in-depth interview study was undertaken with informants from 25 health, social care, and third sector organisations. The study investigated informants' perspectives associated with how food insecurity was manifesting itself locally, and what was happening at the local level in response to the existence of food insecurity. Data analysis revealed three key themes. First, the multiple faces and factors of food insecurity involving not only increased concern for previously recognised 'at risk of food insecurity' groups, but also similar concern held about newly food insecure groups including working families, young people and women. Secondly, respondents witnessed stoicism and struggle, but also resistance amongst some food insecure individuals to external offers of help. The final theme identified community participation yet pessimism associated with addressing current and future needs of food insecure groups. These findings have important implications for the design and delivery of health and social policy in Scotland and other countries facing similar challenges.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: - This report documents food bank provision in the North Locality of Nottinghamshire an area which covers the districts of Newark & Sherwood and Bassetlaw. The research aims to provide an understanding of the numbers and characteristics of those accessing food banks in the area, with a particular focus on the extent of food poverty amongst children. - Food banks have been a growing phenomenon in Britain in recent years. They are voluntary sector organisations which provide emergency food parcels to individuals and families in times of need when they cannot afford enough food to feed themselves of their family. Reasons for people to be referred to food banks include losing a job, waiting for a benefit claim to be processed, changes in benefit entitlement including benefit sanctions and having to meet an unexpected large bill or unforeseen expense. - The impacts of welfare reform will be particularly hard on households with dependent children by the time all the ref...

Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, 2016