UK food banks warn demand has reached crisis point as hunger rises

Food banks across the United Kingdom say demand has reached crisis point as hunger rises amid the cost of living crisis, according to charity groups and national data. The latest statistics from the Trussell Trust show more than 14.1 million people in the UK went hungry last year because of poverty, up from 11.6 million in 2022. The government has said it is determined to tackle the rise in food-bank dependence, citing measures such as extending free school meals and reforming crisis support with £1 billion, and an upcoming strategy from the Child Poverty Taskforce later this year.

Nourish Community Foodbank, serving Tunbridge Wells and south Tonbridge in Kent, described the situation as reaching 'crisis point.' Dawn Stanford, Nourish's operations director, called the picture 'pretty depressing' and said referrals have risen about 37% this year. She added that monetary donations were not enough, explaining: "We are facing hard decisions in the coming months to ensure we will be here next year." She said the charity is currently covering about 25% of needs from donations and purchasing the remaining 75% to cover referrals.

At Faversham Food Bank, chair of trustees Dominic Deeson said donations have fallen as households struggle with the cost of living. "People are kind to us but they are struggling themselves in some cases," he said. Deeson noted they are getting closer to having to buy food to keep up with demand and that, for the first time, they are asking people to make financial donations.

Kent County Council started a food voucher scheme for struggling families this summer, but applications closed on 26 August. In May, the Trussell Trust said there had been a 56% increase in food parcels given to families with children in the South East in the last five years, a wake-up call for policymakers. The Department for Work and Pensions said the government is determined to tackle the unacceptable rise in food-bank dependence and pointed to extending free school meals and £1 billion to reform crisis support, with the Child Poverty Taskforce due to publish an ambitious strategy later this year. KCC declined to comment on the matter when approached.

Local authorities and charities say more sustained funding and a broader strategy are needed to reverse the trend, which has been aggravated by inflation, energy prices and wage stagnation. Officials and food banks have called for ongoing support from the government and the public, including more flexible crisis assistance and better access to the social safety net.

The trend reflects a broader concern across the country that hunger is rising with a weakened safety net. In May, the Trussell Trust highlighted a sharp increase in food parcels for families with children in the South East, underscoring the regional dimension of the crisis. The government says it is pursuing a multi-faceted approach to food-bank dependence, including reforms to crisis support and continued investment in child welfare measures. While officials stress that immediate relief is available through food aid, charity workers warn that long-term solutions must address the underlying drivers of poverty, including cost-of-living pressures and wage stagnation, to curb the growing reliance on emergency food.