Local charity St John’s Foundation is working with its partners to help tackle the issue of food poverty across Bath and North East Somerset.
According to the Bath-based charity, the stigma that surrounds food pantries and food banks is deterring some of the approximately 21,000 residents facing food poverty from accessing the support available to them.
The community charity is highlighting support locations in the region to raise awareness and reduce the perceived stigma around accessing food provisions.
David Hobdey, CEO of St John’s Foundation, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is taking its toll on families throughout the region, with an increasing number of parents struggling to cover the cost of a basic breakfast and lunch for their children.
“Whilst we work with many partners to eradicate food poverty in the BaNES region, a part of this is reducing the stigma that some people have around seeking help by talking about and normalising access to food and financial support.”
Support is available in numerous locations, with a list of food clubs and pantries in the region that can offer affordable food or food parcels available here.
Food price inflation has hit close to a 45-year high, with research from B&NES Council suggesting that eight per cent of the region’s population is now concerned about running out of food.
The Food Foundation has shown that 14.4 per cent of people in the South West experienced food poverty in April 2022 alone, and households with children are at a far higher risk.
The local picture is also reflected nationally. In 2022, 4.2 million children in the UK were living in poverty. This equals around 29 per cent of UK children and six per cent of the total population.
David added: “The numbers around food poverty in BaNES and across the UK are worrying to say the least.
“At St John’s Foundation, we are determined to tackle the problem head-on, working closely with our partners.
“It is so important that families struggling to put food on the table receive support to help them through the cost-of-living crisis so their children have the opportunity to thrive at school.”
At the start of 2023, St John’s pledged to support children attending seven local primary schools who are not entitled to free school meals by funding meals for them until July 2024.
David continued: “St John’s work goes further than free school meal provision – they are also working with other local stakeholders and national organisations to eradicate the need for emergency food provision and address the inequalities in educational attainment across Bath and North East Somerset.
“Through the Nutritious Food and Safe Places programme, funding is awarded to FareShare, as well as several other local projects, to deliver food to families, food banks, food clubs and pantries that provide access to nutritious food to those who need it most in the area.”
