Feeding Britain

...We have been proposing such reforms in order to help ensure every child starts life with the nutritional safety net crucial for healthy development.

Five people stand side by side in a well-lit meeting room, smiling at the camera. From left to right: a man in a dark suit and red tie; a woman wearing a brown cardigan dress; a blonde woman in a navy blazer and grey top standing centrally; a woman in a purple jumper with an orange lanyard; and an older woman with short grey hair wearing a black dress with colourful leaf patterns. Behind them is a beige wall with framed artwork, and in the foreground are wooden tables and green chairs. The image is framed with a thick green border.

Andrew Forsey, our National Director, and Professor Greta Defeyter, Trustee and Chair of our Academic Advisory Group, contributed to a productive workshop earlier today, led by @emmalewellmp.bsky.social, on reforms to improve take-up of the NHS Healthy Start programme...

Five people stand side by side indoors in front of a green “Right to Food UK Commission” banner. The banner features a raised fist logo and text inviting people to share their experiences. The group are dressed in smart and smart-casual clothing and are smiling at the camera. Behind them is a yellow wall and a large screen. In the top right corner of the image is the green Feeding Britain logo reading “Feeding Britain – A Hunger Free UK.”

Thank you to the Right To Food Commission for giving Feeding Britain the chance to contribute evidence in Newcastle last week, on how hunger and its root causes need to be addressed, and huge thanks also to local partners across our network who shaped our evidence.

@righttofoodconf.bsky.social

Affordable food clubs like our Threehills Community Supermarket are made possible by the amazing support we receive from Comic Relief. As Eric shares in this incredibly powerful video, affordable food clubs bring communities together, and improve people’s access to wider support.

Slide titled “Member Voice.” Quote reads: “I love being able to have food I’ve not had in years – making lorne sausage in the air fryer has been magic.” Photo shows two staff members speaking with a customer inside the shop, holding shopping baskets and smiling during a friendly interaction.

Slide titled “Inclusive & Community-led.” Text explains that price lists are translated into Arabic, the shop works with local ESOL classes, and affordable halal meat is sourced to serve Muslim families. Photo shows packaged halal meat products in a freezer, including chicken and sliced meats.

Slide titled “Building Confidence.” Text explains that Knightswood Community Shop is part of the Good Food Scotland network, with 93% of members feeling less stressed about food and 94% reporting increased self-confidence. A member quote highlights feeling safe and supported after attending English classes. No additional photo on this slide.

Green slide with text expressing Feeding Britain’s gratitude for Knightswood Community Shop as a valued network partner. Mentions improving access to affordable food, supporting wellbeing and creating inclusive community spaces across Glasgow. Knightswood Community Shop and Feeding Britain logos are displayed at the bottom.

Alongside food provision, the team provides practical support and creates a welcoming space where people feel respected and supported.

We’re proud to work alongside Knightswood Community Shop and the wider Good Food Scotland network, strengthening food access and wellbeing across their communities.

Graphic reading “Network Spotlight: Knightswood Community Shop – Knightswood, Glasgow.” Feeding Britain logo appears in the top right. A photo shows the inside of the shop with shelves of household goods and groceries, and a display of fresh fruit and vegetables including bananas, cabbage, oranges, grapes and mushrooms. Knightswood Community Shop logo is also featured.

Green slide titled “Who They Are.” Text explains that Knightswood Community Shop is based in Knightswood, Glasgow, opened in April 2025, and supports around 80 customers each week. Photo shows six smiling staff and volunteers standing together inside the shop in front of stocked shelves.

Slide titled “How It Works.” Text explains that for £1 per month, members can access fresh, chilled, frozen and cupboard food. The shop is located in a local food desert and is open to everyone. Photo shows a display of fresh produce including apples, strawberries, bananas, lemons, cabbage and mushrooms arranged on a counter.

Slide titled “More than Food.” Text explains the shop provides support with energy, debt and housing issues, including income advice services and essential household items such as air fryers and fridge freezers. Photo shows a welcoming seating area inside the shop decorated with bunting, leaflets and community information boards.

Knightswood Community Shop is improving access to affordable, quality food for people in Glasgow. By offering fresh, chilled and cupboard staples alongside culturally appropriate options, including halal meat and translated price lists, the shop works to meet the needs of its diverse community.

...We strongly welcome both the objectives and the design of CRF which can maximise people's incomes and help them stretch their budgets further.

Green slide titled: “Investing in Affordable Food Clubs.” Text reads: “The CRF encourages local authorities to think creatively about building sustainable local food landscapes. It specifically supports community food models that help people transition away from crisis support and the accompanying dependence on emergency food parcels. Affordable Food Clubs with on-site advice and wraparound support are one such model that helps families to access affordable food while increasing financial resilience and reducing their risk of having to rely on emergency food parcels from food banks. This approach sits at the heart of our work.” Decorative ‘Open’ sign icon at the top.

Green slide titled: “Creating real pathways out of poverty.” Text reads: “Where CRF funding supports food banks or Affordable Food Clubs, the guidance encourages integrating: • Advice services • Benefit application support • Utility debt support Our Pathways from Poverty model – commissioning Advice Workers to offer in-person support within food settings – is cited within the CRF guidance as an example of best practice. Because ending hunger isn’t just about food. It’s about income, debt, access, and opportunity.” Decorative heart-in-hand icon at the top.

Green slide titled: “A STEP TOWARDS ENDING EMERGENCY FOOD DEPENDENCE.” Text reads: “The design of the Crisis and Resilience Fund closely reflects the model we have been developing across the Feeding Britain network for the last ten years. We strongly welcome both the objectives and the design of CRF, and the balance it strikes between immediate crisis support and longer-term resilience-building activities which can maximise people's incomes and help them stretch their budgets further.” Feeding Britain logo appears at the bottom centre.

...From strengthening school holiday provision to investing in Affordable Food Clubs and integrating advice services within food settings, the guidance reflects the model Feeding Britain has been developing for the past decade...

Green Feeding Britain branded slide with large headline text reading: “CRISIS AND RESILIENCE FUND.” Subheading reads: “A new £1bn opportunity to help end the UK’s mass dependence on emergency food parcels.” Feeding Britain logo appears in the top right corner. Bottom left text reads: “Swipe to learn more.”

Green slide with text: “The Government’s new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is a three-year programme starting in April 2026.” Below, smaller text reads: “Its aim? To help end mass dependence on emergency food parcels and build stronger, more resilient communities. Here’s why this matters:” Decorative calendar icon at the top.

Green slide titled: “Balancing crisis support with long-term resilience.” Text reads: “CRF is designed to strike a balance between: • Immediate crisis support (payments, vouchers, goods in-kind) • Longer-term support that helps people maximise incomes and stretch budgets further That balance is central to Feeding Britain’s approach to tackling hunger and its root causes; increasing people’s incomes and helping them stretch their budgets further, so as to minimise their risk of depending on emergency food parcels from food banks.” Decorative ticket-style icon at the top.

Green slide titled: “Strengthening school holiday provision.” Text reads: “CRF guidance highlights co-ordination with the Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF). Local authorities can use CRF funding to expand holiday provision where it builds resilience. This reflects our Healthy Holidays model combining nutritious meals with enriching activities so children are supported and families are protected from additional costs. With these programmes, communities are strengthened during the school breaks.” Decorative lunchbox icon at the top.

The Government's new £1bn Crisis and Resilience Fund represents an important step towards ending the UK’s mass dependence on emergency food parcels.
Starting in April 2026, this three-year programme balances immediate crisis support with longer-term resilience building...

Green slide featuring a parent testimonial. Text reads: “Every day is a struggle… It can feel like we are doing all the right things, yet we get no help whatsoever [because we are in work], it breaks my heart… Before our children got these places [at the holiday club], they used to have to just come with me and hang around while I finished [my job] cleaning. They got so bored… Knowing that they are having fun and also getting a hot meal each session is such a relief. It has made such a difference… Their mood has improved because they are entertained and fed and not having to wait around while I get finished [at work].”

Green slide with Feeding Britain logo. Text reads: “This year, Feeding Britain will create a minimum of 60,000 places for children at 150 clubs across the UK, providing much needed food and support during the 2026 school holidays.” Below: “You can support this work by donating via our website or here:” alongside a QR code.

This year, we’ll create at least 60,000 places across 150 clubs to ensure children are fed and able to thrive during the 2026 school holidays.

If you can, please donate to support this work 💚
Donate here: bit.ly/4aofNC2 or scan the QR code in the final slide.

Green Feeding Britain branded slide titled “Healthy Holidays.” Subheading reads: “Supporting community-led action to ensure children have access to nutritious food and enriching experiences throughout the school holidays.” Images show: a volunteer serving food to a child at a community meal, two children kayaking on a river, and children playing on outdoor gym equipment. Feeding Britain logo appears in the top left.

Green slide titled “The Reality in the UK.” Main text reads: “Hundreds of thousands of children in poverty are at risk of going hungry during the school holidays.” Image shows children preparing food at a table, including a young girl wearing an orange headscarf placing toppings on bread, with bowls of ingredients nearby.

Green slide titled “Healthy Holidays.” Text reads: “Our Healthy Holidays programme combines nutritious meals and enriching activities to help families stretch their budgets further, address children’s dietary intake, and provide greater freedom and opportunity during the school holidays.” Image shows a young child wearing an apron standing beside trays of prepared meals in a kitchen setting.

Hundreds of thousands of children across the UK are at risk of going hungry during the school holidays.

Our Healthy Holidays programmes combine nutritious meals with enriching activities that support families and protect children’s wellbeing whilst strengthening local communities.

Sunderland has begun to show how food bank usage can be reduced, and the CRF has the potential to deliver further such reductions.

Thank you to Shop4All, Sunderland City Council, and Communities Together Durham for partnering with us on this mission.

Collage of four photos from a visit to a Sunderland food club. In the top images, DWP Minister Diana Johnson, wearing glasses and a navy jacket, speaks with local people inside a community venue. The bottom left image shows her walking down the aisle of a church hall with wooden pews. In the bottom right image, she stands outside speaking to residents near a sign reading “St Thomas.” A green circular Feeding Britain logo with the words “Feeding Britain – A Hunger Free UK” appears in the centre of the collage.

We welcomed Dame Diana Johnson MP, Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions, to an Affordable Food Club in Sunderland to help launch the new £1 billion Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) - aimed at reducing dependence on emergency food parcels from food banks across Britain.

The cruel reality is that all too many families are struggling to put food on the table, but with Gordon Ramsay’s help we can put this right. We are enormously grateful to Gordon for our partnership, not least because this is a cause so close to his heart.

Green background slide titled “4. Positive Impact on Mental Wellbeing.” Pink text reads: “Membership of Affordable Food Clubs is linked to improvements in self-confidence and a reduction in food-related stress. In addition, 86% of members report feeling more closely connected to their community since accessing an Affordable Food Club.” Below, a photo shows an older woman in a pink jacket smiling while pouring a hot drink at a community food club. An illustration shows a small group of people sitting around a table talking.

Green background slide titled “5. Expanding Wraparound Services.” Pink text reads: “Over 70% of members had accessed at least one form of wraparound support through their Affordable Food Club, with social, cooking and nutrition activities the most commonly accessed forms of support.” Below, a photo shows two women shaking hands across a table covered with bread and fruit at a food club. An illustration shows two people looking at a document with a lightbulb icon.

Light green background with large purple text reading “Read the full report here:” next to a black-and-white QR code. Below, two photos show a colourful patchwork quilt displayed on a wall and a woman sitting at a desk in an office space with plants and equipment around her.

Read the full report here: bit.ly/4qpLGRr

#FeedingResilience #AffordableFoodClubs #FoodSecurity #CommunityResilience #FeedingBritain

Green textured background with the heading “5 Ways Affordable Food Clubs Boost diet, strengthen financial security and foster community.” Feeding Britain logo in the top right. A curved purple arrow points toward the bottom right. Below the text, a photo shows a smiling older woman using a laptop at a desk inside a community food club, with another person seated opposite.

Green background slide titled “1. Ending Food Bank Reliance.” Pink text reads: “40% of members reported that they had never relied on food banks and 31% have either stopped or reduced their usage of food banks.” A purple arrow points to an illustration of a donations box filled with food items. Below, two images show a person carrying a green crate of groceries outdoors and the interior of an Affordable Food Club shop stocked with fruit and vegetables.

Light green background slide titled “2. Improving Diets.” Pink text reads: “98% of members reported being able to afford to eat more balanced meals as a result of joining their Affordable Food Club, with over three quarters of members eating more fruit and vegetables.” An illustration shows a person holding a grocery bag filled with vegetables. Below, a photo shows hands placing a red onion into a paper bag beside crates of fresh produce.

Green background slide titled “3. Reaching Communities Most In Need.” Pink text reads: “75% of members reported worrying about food running out before they could afford to buy more. Affordable Food Clubs are well placed to reach struggling households, with 68% of Clubs in the Feeding Britain network located in areas ranking within the 30% most deprived in the country.” A purple arrow points downward. Below, a photo shows a man holding up a large black reusable shopping bag inside a community venue. An illustration of diverse hands forming a circle around a heart appears on the right.

Our Feeding Resilience Report highlights how Affordable Food Clubs are supporting communities across the UK by:
- Reducing food bank reliance
- Improving healthy food access
- Reaching communities most in need
- Supporting mental wellbeing
- Expanding access to wraparound services and local support

Thank you to our partners, researchers, coordinators, volunteers and members who made this research possible. Together, we will continue to grow Affordable Food Clubs as a resilient alternative to emergency food aid and a cornerstone of community support.

Read the full report here: bit.ly/4qpLGRr

Our latest findings reveal that 98% of members are able to eat more balanced meals, while 86% feel more connected to their local community after joining an Affordable Food Club. These statistics are among many that show the powerful role this model plays in helping to build long-term food resilience

We have launched our Feeding Resilience Report, which shows how Affordable Food Clubs are improving diets, boosting financial security, and fostering stronger, more connected communities across the UK.

...in helping to end the mass dependence on emergency food parcels from food banks

A woman stands at a lectern speaking into a microphone on a stage while holding notes. A man sits to her left holding papers. Behind them, a large projected screen shows three green Feeding Britain report covers titled ‘Feeding Hope,’ ‘Feeding Community,’ and ‘Feeding Resilience.’ Five panelists sit in a row to the right, facing the speaker. Green rectangle borders frame the top and bottom of the image.

A man stands at a lectern speaking into a microphone on a stage, gesturing with one hand. A woman stands to his left holding notes. Behind them, a large projected screen displays three green Feeding Britain report covers titled ‘Feeding Hope,’ ‘Feeding Community,’ and ‘Feeding Resilience.’ Five panelists are seated in a row on chairs to the right, listening. Green rectangle borders frame the top and bottom of the image.

Last week, we presented at the UK Government's Food Poverty Conference in Westminster. In particular, we focused on the role of local approaches - Affordable Food Clubs, Pathways From Poverty, and a stronger nutritional safety net for children and young people...

Together with likeminded advocates, the group reflected on the progress being made - particularly in the recent Child Poverty Strategy - and looked ahead to what more can be done. [5/5]

Our National Director and Chair of our Academic Advisory Group, Andrew Forsey and Professor Greta Defeyter, were in Downing Street this week to meet the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves. [4/5]

In addition, given its impact on families’ risk of being hungry, we had long advocated the removal of the two-child limit in the benefits system; starting with work from our founding Chair, the late Frank Field. [3/5]

These include the provision of meals and activities during school holidays, school breakfast provision, changes to free school meal eligibility criteria, improvements to free school meal registration processes, co-location of services in communities, and a stronger NHS Healthy Start programme. [2/5]

Andrew Forsey and Professor Greta at 11 Downing Street

Feeding Britain works tirelessly to develop research- and evidence-led programmes and policies which can free children from the clutches of hunger and destitution. [1/5]

#CommunityPantry #FeedingBritain #AffordableFoodClubs #Westminster #London

Text reads: “How the Pantry Works. The Westbourne Park Pantry operates on a membership basis. For a small weekly fee (£5), members select a set number of grocery items each visit, often valued at several times the membership cost. Stock comes from local suppliers, surplus food distributors, and donations. The pantry is run by volunteers and supported by community partners who help manage deliveries, displays, and welcome members.” Image shows smiling volunteers wearing pantry aprons behind tables of fresh food.

Text reads: “We at Feeding Britain are grateful to have the Westbourne Park Pantry as part of our network. Their commitment to providing affordable food, reducing waste, and strengthening community ties makes a positive difference in London. We thank the volunteers, partners, and members who make the pantry possible and who embody dignity, inclusion, and cooperation every day.” Logos for Westbourne Park Pantry and Feeding Britain appear at the bottom.

It is a model built on dignity, choice, and community, helping people stretch their budgets and feel supported.

We’re proud to have Westbourne Park Pantry as part of the Feeding Britain network and thank the volunteers, partners, and members who make this space possible.

Graphic with a light green background. Text reads: “Westminster, Central London – Network Spotlight: Westbourne Park Pantry. Local care and cooperation, alongside affordable food.” There is a photo of the Westbourne Park Pantry sign with a red and white logo. Branding for Feeding Britain appears in the corner.

Green background with photos of fresh produce. Text reads:“What is a Food Pantry? A food pantry is a community membership scheme that offers access to affordable groceries and household essentials. Members pay a small weekly fee to choose from a range of quality items, helping to stretch budgets and reduce food waste. Pantries are designed to promote dignity and choice and are owned by their community. They are welcoming spaces where people can shop, access support services, and connect with others in their local area.”

Text reads: “Westbourne Park is a vibrant area in the north of Westminster, home to a diverse mix of cultures and communities. Like many parts of London, it faces rising costs of living, housing pressures, and access to affordable food. Local organisations play a vital role in ensuring people have the opportunity to eat well and live with dignity. The Westbourne Park Pantry is part of this network of care and cooperation, providing affordable food and support to meet people’s needs.” Image shows a pantry volunteer helping a member choose groceries.

The Westbourne Park Pantry is a hub of care and cooperation at the heart of Westminster.

For just a small weekly fee, members can choose from high-quality groceries while connecting with friendly volunteers and neighbours.

In the light of research, led by Professor Greta Defeyter, Baroness Boycott has asked ministers in the House of Lords to urgently review free school meals funding in England